Transcript

1.
Tentative interest in tall condos OUR TOWN
PAGE 1
CharlotteSun MEET-AND-GREET IN IRAQ
OLYMPICS
US TEAMS START CAMP
AND WEEKLY
HERALD
Obama gained support from Iraq’s leaders in Final preparations begin for SPORTS
wanting to pull U.S. troops out by 2010. FRONT PAGE 8 basketball team’s trip to Beijing. PAGE 1
AN EDITION OF THE SUN
VOL. 116 NO. 204 AMERICA’S BEST COMMUNITY DAILY T U E S D A Y J U LY 2 2 , 2 0 0 8 www.sun-herald.com 50 cents
Calling all investors
In this May
14 photo,
Jim Mulva,
CEO of
Conoco-
Phillips,
Big oil profits line shareholders’ pockets uses a chart
to explain
By JOHN PORRETTO they’re trying to find new oil retirement plans for millions the high
AP BUSINESS WRITER that might help bring down of Americans, but no help to cost of
HOUSTON — As giant oil gas prices, but the money drivers already making gasoline
companies like Exxon Mobil they spend on exploration is drastic cutbacks to offset the during a
and ConocoPhillips get set to nothing compared with what high cost of fuel. press
report what will probably be they spend on stock buy- The five biggest interna- conference
another round of eye-pop- backs and dividends. tional oil companies plowed in Houston.
ping quarterly profits, just It’s good news for share-
where is all that money going? holders, including mutual INVESTORS | P2
The companies insist funds and AP FILE PHOTO
Texas,
Feds debate drilling
As members
Mexico
prepare
of the U.S.
Should states decide?
Congress
consider
lifting the
By NEIL HUGHES
STAFF WRITER
President Bush recently
rescinded the executive
Could the lease borders
in the Gulf of Mexico be
for Dolly
offshore The offshore drilling order banning offshore drawn so that other states By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN
drilling BUSH discussion isn’t just limited drilling for most of the U.S. control Florida’s waters? ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
moratorium, to Florida. coast. Congress has its own Rep. Tim Mahoney, Flori- McALLEN, Texas — Residents
there are a Since federal bans were ban in place that must be da-16th District, said it’s a along the Texas-Mexico border
put in place nearly two repealed before new leases real concern. kept a watchful eye on Tropical
plethora of decades ago, most of the could be granted. “Louisiana and Missis- Storm Dolly on Monday, stocking
issues that U.S. coastline has been As members of the U.S. sippi and Texas, those up on plywood, generators and
need to be hands-off for oil companies. Congress consider lifting folks have made a value flashlights as forecasters predict-
resolved. For Politically, lifting the ban the offshore drilling decision a long time ago ed the storm would strengthen
starters, used to be a nonstarter. moratorium, there is a that they wanted to have into a hurricane later this week
should MCCAIN Economically, expanding plethora of issues that the oil industry off their and make landfall.
offshore drilling wasn’t as need to be resolved. For coast,” the Democrat The storm was expected to
individual bring high winds and dump 10 to
feasible. starters, should individual said. “They have the
states be Funny how things states be allowed to decide infrastructure there, and 20 inches of rain in coastal areas
allowed to change when the price of a their fate on offshore oil they want to make sure near the U.S.-Mexican border.
decide their barrel of oil doubles in two drilling? What states would that the biggest financial Emergency officials feared major
fate on years. control what parts of the benefit of oil being flooding problems and urged
offshore oil Many Republicans coastline? Where would pumped off of Florida’s coastal residents to prepare.
believe increasing domes- any windfall taxes be coast goes back to Missis- Shell Oil said it was evacuating
drilling? What BUCHANAN tic production by obtaining directed? sippi, Louisiana and workers from oil rigs in the
states would western Gulf Of Mexico, and the
new reserves in banned Officials in Southwest Texas. We’re going to have
control what areas could help reduce the Florida generally support to make sure that we have federal government was trying to
parts of the price of oil. Most Democ- the idea of states’ rights on our fair share.” decide whether they could begin
coastline? rats feel oil companies offshore drilling. Mahoney also believes construction on a new border
Where would should exhaust the leased, “Let states decide for that a majority of the fence, which was to be combined
any windfall untapped 65 million acres their own destiny,” said financial benefit of off- with levee improvements along
— both onshore and off — Rep. Vern Buchanan, shore drilling will go to the Rio Grande in Hidalgo County.
taxes be The National Hurricane Center
that they currently have Republican in Florida’s
directed? MAHONEY
the rights to. 13th District. STATES| P4 DOLLY | P2
With gas
prices at Gas prices tempt Florida Crist eyes
record highs,
Governor
Crist has said
lawmakers to rethink drilling retirement
he would
support the CRIST
By NEIL HUGHES
STAFF WRITER
Fahrenheit $4: The
the table for state officials
if the federal government
decides to repeal its long-
offshore drilling.
In fact, Rep. Michael
Grant, R-Englewood, and
loopholes
currently- By BRENT KALLESTAD
price-per-gallon at which standing moratorium that Sen. Mike Bennett, R-
banned offshore oil drilling has blocked energy devel- Sarasota, would rather
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
option (on becomes a serious option opment over 80 percent of discuss alternative energy TALLAHASSEE — It’s an offer
offshore in Florida. the country’s coastal to reduce U.S. dependence many private sector workers
drilling) in In a well-publicized waters. on oil. In their eyes, the would envy — briefly retire and
order to help reversal, Gov. Charlie Crist State officials in current oil prices are an receive thousands of dollars in a
recently announced his Southwest Florida gener- opportunity for the coun- lump sum payment. Then go
lower gas
KREEGEL interest in offshore drilling ally agree with Crist’s try to focus its efforts. back to your old job and collect
prices. And both a full salary and pension.
to curb rising gas prices. It sentiment — as long as “Why don’t we do the
with his directly contradicts with the drilling does not pose right thing right now, and More than 8,000 Florida state
endorsement, his steadfast opposition to a threat to Florida’s let’s keep the pressure on employees are already taking
along with the practice held years ago. environment. to develop renewable advantage of a 10-year-old
that of But with gas prices at “Some things that are sources so that we as a program, returning to jobs after
Republican record highs, the governor apparently dangerous, country can become cashing out of the retirement
has said he would support with enough effort, can be independent of foreign system and receiving a monthly
presidential pension check as well. Last year,
candidate the currently-banned done safely,” said Rep. oil?” said Bennett, who is
GRANT option in order to help Paige Kreegel, R-Punta chairman of the Florida Florida paid about $300 million
John McCain, lower gas prices. And with Gorda, citing nuclear Committee on Communi- in pension benefits to people still
talk of his endorsement, along power plants as an exam- cations and Public on the full-time payroll.
offshore with that of Republican ple of potentially cata- Utilities. Usually called Deferred
drilling in presidential candidate strophic power sources The Florida senator Retirement Option Programs, or
Florida John McCain, talk of that operate safely. criticized members of the DROPs, they originated in
offshore drilling in Florida That’s not to say any- federal government for Louisiana in the early 1980s to
has been address a problem caused by the
has been heating up. one is particularly excit-
heating up. relatively early retirements of
The option could be on ed by the prospect of RETHINK| P4
BENNETT public safety personnel.
CRIST | P2
INDEX| FRONT: State 5 | Nation 2,6,15 | World 6,8,15 | Business 9-13 | Weather 16 | TV Grid 15,16 | OUR TOWN: Police Beat 3 | Obituaries 5 | Crossword 10 | Abby 11
Daily Edition 50¢ High Low
SLAIN OFFICER CHARLIE SAYS ...
Let’s hope they don’t mix piranhas in with
92 76
30 percent chance of rain
Lee, Charlotte County law enforcement agencies have
been raising money for Widman’s wife, children.
OUR TOWN
PAGE 1
carps for those fish pedicures — folks
could be missing more than scaly skin.
7 05252 00025 8 Send suggestions to charliesays@sun-herald.com

2.
Front Page 2 D/E/N/C www.sun-herald.com FROM PAGE ONE The Sun /Tuesday, July 22, 2008
BITS 47
CRIST: State retirement
program has loopholes
FROM PAGE 1 DROP plans.
And now Florida’s
“DROPs are a legiti-
governor has questions.
Ebert, Roeper leave mate human resources
“People earn and
management tool,” said deserve to have a
movie review show Keith Brainard, research pension, but to sort of
CHICAGO — Chicago director at the National use the system in such a
Sun-Times film critic Roger Association of State way as that I don’t think
Ebert says he’s cutting ties Retirement Administra- is a wise use of taxpay-
with the tors based in Austin, ers’ dollars,” said Florida
television Texas. “If they have a Gov. Charlie Crist, who
show that he problem, the problem is is pushing changes to
and the late not the DROP itself. It’s the state’s program. “I
Gene Siskel how it’s designed.” just think it’s wrong.”
made And while Brainard’s Crist, however, has
famous. group does not take a yet to offer specific fixes.
In an e- position on the merits of In Florida, instead of
mail to The
DROP, the plans in some retiring after 30 years
EBERT Associated and receiving a monthly
Press on instances have been
AP PHOTO poorly designed. pension check, state and
Monday,
Ebert said Patsy Fisher, 42, of Crofton, Md., center, checks on the progress of KaNin Reese, 32, of A 2002 DROP scandal education employees
in Milwaukee County have the option of
Disney-ABC Washington, with Tracy Roberts, 33, of Rockville, Md., left, during their fish pedicure at
Domestic Yvonne Hair and Nails salon in Alexandria, Va. on Thursday. led to the resignation of remaining in the job for
up to five additional
Television the county administra-
years, with their retire-
had decided
to take the
show “in a
Carp pedicures rid tor, the recall of seven
county supervisors and
ment pay going into an
account that pays 6.5
a 60-day jail term for the percent annual interest.
ROEPER
new direc-
tion” and he
won’t be
associated with it.
human feet of scaly skin county personnel chief. Only a small percent-
Illinois, Pennsylvania age of the roughly 100,000
and some large munici- employees in Florida’s
palities — including
By MATTHEW BARAKAT first used in Turkey and minutes in the tank, DROP program have the
His announcement ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER Houston, Philadelphia, connections to come
came a day after Chicago have become popular in customers get a stan-
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — some Asian countries. dard pedicure, made and San Diego — have back to work because
Sun-Times columnist been forced to address administrators must
Richard Roeper said he Ready for the latest in But Ho doubted they easier by the soft skin
spa pampering? Prepare would thrive in the the doctor fish leave problems as well with approve the rehiring.
was leaving the nationally
syndicated “At the Movies to dunk your tootsies in warm water needed for behind.
With Ebert & Roeper.” a tank of water and let a comfortable footbath. Ho believes his is the
Roeper said in a state-
ment Sunday that he had
tiny carp nibble away.
Fish pedicures are
And he didn’t know if
customers would like
only salon in the coun-
try to offer the treat- DOLLY: Hurricane watch
failed to agree on a contract creating something of a the idea. ment, which costs $35
extension with Disney-ABC
Domestic Television so his
splash in the D.C. area,
where a northern
“I know people were a
little intimidated at first,”
for 15 minutes and $50
for 30 minutes. The spa
issued for Texas, Mexico
last appearance on the Virginia spa has been Ho said. “But I just said, has more than 1,000 FROM PAGE 1 Yucatan peninsula,
show will air the weekend offering them for the ‘Let’s give it a shot.’” fish, with about 100 in which was battered by
of Aug. 16-17. in Miami issued a strong winds and
past four months. John Customers were each individual pedicure hurricane watch from
“Several months ago, Ho, who runs the quickly hooked. tank at any given time. drenched with rain a
Disney offered to extend Brownsville north to day earlier.
Yvonne Hair and Nails Tracy Roberts, 33, of Dennis Arnold, a Port O’Connor.
my contract, which expires Dolly was moving
salon with his wife, Rockville, Md., heard podiatrist who four Mexico also announced
at the conclusion of the toward the west at 16
2007-08 season,” Roeper Yvonne Le, said 5,000 about it on a local radio years ago established a hurricane watch from mph. The storm was
said. “I opted to wait. Much people have taken the show. She said it was the International Rio San Fernando north expected to gradually
transpired after that behind plunge so far. “the best pedicure I Pedicure Association, to Matamoros and the slow in the next couple
the scenes, but an agree- “This is a good ever had” and has said he had never heard U.S. border. days but stay on track
ment was never reached, treatment for everyone spread the word to of the treatment and Dolly was expected to toward the U.S.-Mexico
.........................................
and we are all moving on.” who likes to have nice friends and co-workers. doubts it will become make landfall Wednesday border. Maximum
feet,” Ho said. “I’d been an athlete all widespread. as a Category 1 storm sustained winds were 50
He said he wanted to my life, so I’ve always had “I think most people
ALMANAC come up with some- calluses on my feet. This would be afraid of it,” he
with sustained winds of mph, and tropical storm-
Today is Tuesday, July 22, the 74 mph to 95 mph. force winds extended
thing unique while was the first time some- said. Texas officials said they outward up to 175 miles.
204th day of 2008. There are finding a replacement body got rid of my Customer Patsy
162 days left in the year. wouldn’t order evacua- Dolly’s winds were
for pedicures that use calluses completely,” she Fisher, 42, of Crofton, tions along the coast expected to strengthen
Today in history razors to scrape off dead said. Md., admitted she was unless Dolly strengthens Tuesday to hurricane
skin. The razors have First time customer nervous as she prepared to a Category 3, with force, which would mean
On July 22, 1933, American fallen out of favor with KaNin Reese, 32, of for her first fish pedi- sustained winds of at at least 74 mph.
aviator Wiley Post completed the state regulators because Washington, described cure. But her apprehen- least 111 mph. Gov. Rick Perry
first solo flight around the world of concerns about the tingling sensation sion dissolved into At 8 p.m. EDT, the activated 1,200 National
as he returned to New York’s whether they’re sanitary. created by the toothless laughter after she put Guard troops and other
center of Tropical Storm
Floyd Bennett Field after traveling Ho was skeptical at fish: “It kind of feels like her feet in the tank and Dolly was located about emergency crews,
for 7 days, 18 3/4 hours. first about the fish, your foot’s asleep,” she the fish swarmed to her 405 miles east-southeast mindful of the disas-
which are called Garra said. toes. of Brownsville. Mexico trous evacuation before
On this date rufa but typically known The fish don’t do the “It’s a little ticklish, Hurricane Rita hit the
discontinued its tropical
In 1587, an English colony as doctor fish. They were job alone. After 15 to 30 actually,” she said. storm warning for the Texas Gulf Coast in 2005.
fated to vanish under mysterious
circumstances was established on
Roanoke Island off North Carolina.
In 1796, Cleveland was founded
by Gen. Moses Cleaveland.
INVESTORS: Profit goes to buybacks Sun Newspapers MEMBER of the Audit Bureau of Circulation
FROM PAGE 1 on stock buybacks major oil companies.
In 1937, the Senate rejected alone, compared with Investor-owned President..........................................Derek Dunn-Rankin................941-206-1001
President Roosevelt’s proposal to about 55 percent of the $5.5 billion on explo- companies like Exxon Publisher..........................................David Dunn-Rankin................941-206-1003
add more justices to the cash they made from ration and other capital Mobil and Chevron hold Editor ...............................................Chris Porter.............................941-206-1134
Supreme Court. their businesses into projects. less than 10 percent of Managing Editor...............................John Hackworth......................941-206-1147
In 1942, the Nazis began stock buybacks and ConocoPhillips has global oil and gas DeSoto/Hardee Sun Editor..............Laura Schmid.........................863-494-0300
transporting Jews from the dividends last year, up already told investors reserves, way down from DeSoto General Manager ................Joe Gallimore .........................863-494-0300
Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka from 30 percent in 2000 that its stock buybacks past decades. And Charlotte Sun Editor ........................Lorraine Schneeberger...........941-206-1168
concentration camp. and just 1 percent in for April to June of this finding new oil has North Port Sun Editor.......................Elaine Allen-Emrich ................941-429-3003
In 1975, the House of 1993, according to Rice year will come to about become harder and North Port General Manager............Steve Sachkar........................941-429-3003
Representatives joined the University’s James A.
Senate in voting to restore the $2.5 billion — nine more expensive. Englewood Sun Editor......................Christy Arnold.........................941-681-3000
Baker III Institute for times what it spent on State-run oil compa- Englewood General Manager...........Lang Capasso ........................941-681-3000
American citizenship of Confed- Public Policy.
erate Gen. Robert E. Lee. exploration. nies, like those in Saudi
The percentage they Stock buybacks are Arabia and Venezuela, HARDEE/DESOTO ENGLEWOOD
Today’s birthdays spend to find new common throughout control about 80 percent
deposits of fossil fuels has CIRCULATION CIRCULATION
corporate America, not of oil reserves — and at
Former Senate Majority Leader remained flat for years, in just for Big Oil. They Customer Service Customer Service
today’s prices, it’s not
Bob Dole, R-Kan., is 85. Fashion the mid-single digits. shrink the amount of surprising they’re keep- 863-494-2434 941-681-3000
designer Oscar de la Renta is The issue has become stock on the open ing a tight grip on what Fax: 863-494-3533 Fax: 941-681-3008
76. Actress Louise Fletcher is more sensitive as market, essentially they have. Scarce equip- info@sun-herald.com
74. Game show host Alex Trebek lawmakers and Ameri- increasing its value and ment and hard-to-find
is 68. Singer George Clinton is cans frustrated by high giving individual share- labor also pose problems. Classified Classified
67. Actor-singer Bobby Sherman gas prices have balked at holders a bigger stake in So what’s Big Oil to 863-494-2434 941-475-2200
is 65. Actor Danny Glover is gaudy reports of oil the company. do? Fax: 863-494-3533 Fax: 941-485-3036
61.Rock singer Don Henley is industry profits. Cono- But some critics say The companies say
61. Folk singer Emily Saliers
(Indigo Girls) is 45. Actor-
coPhillips is scheduled Big Oil focuses too much they are doing what they NORTH PORT CHARLOTTE
to kick off the latest on boosting stock prices, can to find more fossil CIRCULATION CIRCULATION
comedian David Spade is 44. round of Big Oil earn- in an industry that fuels around the world, Customer Service
Actor Colin Ferguson is 36. ings reports Wednesday. Customer Service
sometimes ties executive but the easy oil is gone.
........................................ .
Singer Rufus Wainwright is 35. Oil prices are set on the 941-429-3000 941-206-1300
pay to stock price. Exploring these days
open market, not by the Fax: 941-423-2318 Fax: 941-629-2085
And in focusing on may mean expensive
NEWS OF oil industry. But that buybacks and dividends projects in thousands of
info@sun-herald.com info@sun-herald.com
THE WEIRD hasn’t stopped public over exploring for new feet of water in the Gulf Classified ads Punta Gorda Herald office
Drive it like protests, a series of oil, some critics say, oil of Mexico or costly 941-205-1000
congressional grillings for companies jeopardize ventures pulling petrole- 941-429-3000
you stole it Port Charlotte Town Center
top oil executives, and a its already dwindling um from Canada’s vast
mall kiosk
In Ocala, in March, Bret Wass, failed attempt by law- share of world supply. oil-sands deposits. Display Advertising 941-206-1700
28, scrambling from police makers to slap Big Oil “If you’re not spending TransCanada Corp. and North Port 941-429-3000
investigating a sexual battery, with a windfall profits tax. your money finding and ConocoPhillips Co. just Charlotte 941-206-1214
commandeered a tow truck and In the first three developing new oil, then said they’d spend $7 Englewood 941-681-3000 Classified
drove away, even though the truck months of this year, there’s no new oil,” said billion to nearly double DeSoto 863-494-2434
had a car hooked onto it; during Hardee 863-494-2434 941-206-1200
Exxon Mobil Corp., the Amy Myers Jaffe, an the amount of crude Fax: 941-629-7740
the chase, he hit the patrol car world’s biggest publicly energy expert at Rice flowing through a pipeline National & Regional Advertisers
classified@sun-herald.com
and was captured on foot nearby. traded oil company, University who’s studied from Canada’s tar sands to 941-206-1270
ads@sun-herald.com
— From wire reports shelled out $8.8 billion spending patterns of the the U.S. Gulf Coast.
The SUN (USPS 743170) is published daily at Sun Coast Media Group, Inc., 23170 Harborview Road, Port Charlotte, FL 33980-2100. Periodicals postage paid at Punta Gorda, FL. Postmaster: Please send address changes to the SUN, 23170 Harborview Road, Port Charlotte, Florida 33980-2100.

4.
Front Page 4 D/E/N/C www.sun-herald.com FROM PAGE ONE The Sun /Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Famed dry hole in the Gulf gets a second shot
By RUSSELL GOLD ened the industry, stirring down another couple of prime position to capitalize. investment by making a
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL wildcatter passions and thousand feet to find out what McMoRan's drill bits have commercial find. Mr. Moffett
McMoRan Exploration Co. is prompting companies to look was there. been churning through said Thursday he believes
leading a renewed effort to anew at previously abandoned Almost all of the big Gulf ancient rock at the Blackbeard Blackbeard could hold natural
find natural gas in a site known projects. fields discovered over the past site since March. Thursday, gas equivalent to anywhere
as one of the world’s deepest Earlier this year, McMoRan decade are in thousands of the New Orleans-based from 300 million to two billion
dry holes. Co-Chairman James R. “Jim feet of deep water. But if company reported it was barrels of oil, which would
Exxon Mobil Corp. walked Bob” Moffett decided the site Blackbeard hits a big pocket of below 32,550 feet, the deepest make it one of the biggest finds
away from the legendary was worth another shot. Most gas, the strike could set off a penetration of the earth ever in years.
Blackbeard prospect in the Gulf of the hard work — drilling to new frenzy of drilling in the recorded, according to drilling But nothing is sure until the
of Mexico in 2006 after drilling 30,000 feet — had already Gulf's shallow waters, and data from IHS Inc. And it's gas begins to flow. Exxon, one
to more than 30,000 feet been done by Exxon, Mr. McMoRan — which has the going deeper. of the most technologically
without a payoff. But high Moffett told investors. rights to drill on nearby But oil companies don't drill adept producers in the world,
energy prices have embold- McMoRan just needed to get acreage — would be in a to set records. They justify their failed in its efforts at the site.
How dependent are we on foreign oil?
14
17
25 38 10
02 r
13 r
34
26
24
01 40
31 22
29 08 39
16
07 23
03 11 04
19 37 35
21
32
20 06
18 05
27
12 36
28 41
15
33 09
u ? -
0
30
Map indicates where the oil Americans consumed in 2006* was produced. Figures represent number of barrels, rounded to the nearest million. Only countries exporting at least
10 million barrels to the U.S. are included.
*2006 is the last year for which complete data is available.
More than 200 million to 100 million to 50 milllion to 20 million to 10 million to OPEC member
500 million 500 million 200 million 100 million 50 million 20 million countries
01. United States . . . . . . . . . .1.862 billion 12. Ecuador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 million 23. Libya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 million 34. Estonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 million
02. Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .858 million 13. United Kingdom . . . . . . . . . .99 million 24. France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 million 35. Oman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 million
03. Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .622 million 14. Norway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 million 25. Belgium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 million 36. Congo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 million
04. Saudi Arabia . . . . . . . . . . .534 million 15. Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 million 26. Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 million 37. Netherlands Antilles . . . . . . .12 million
05. Venezuela . . . . . . . . . . . . .517 million 16. Kuwait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 million 27. Equatorial Guinea . . . . . . . . .22 million 38. Sweden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 million
06. Nigeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .406 million 17. The Netherlands . . . . . . . . . .63 million 28. Gabon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 million 39. China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 million
07. Algeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240 million 18. Colombia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 million 29. Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 million 40. Azerbaijan . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 million
08. Iraq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202 million 19. Aruba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 million 30. Argentina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 million 41. Indonesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 million
09. Angola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195 million 20. Trinidad and Tobago . . . . . . .43 million 31. Spain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 million
10. Russia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134 million 21. Chad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 million 32. Vietnam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 million SUN GRAPHIC BY JOSH OLIVE
11. U.S. Virgin Islands . . . . . . . .119 million 22. South Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 million 33. Peru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 million — Source: U.S. Energy Informaiton Administration
STATES: Should states RETHINK: High gas prices put new spin on drilling
be allowed to choose? FROM PAGE 1 on the moon and invent
the atomic bomb in that
newly-adopted rules as
Crist: If oil drilling can be
“Hurricane Katrina
passed over those oil
FROM PAGE 1 He said he believes they what he said has been time, they can find a clean, safe, reliable and fields,” Kreegel said. “How
have falsely inflated the inaction in seeking viable alternative to oil. aesthetically pleasing, it’s much oil was spilled from
other Gulf states that have “You cannot tell me we OK with him. there? Zero, from what I
price of oil by as much as renewable energy
an established oil- cannot become indepen- He cited the existing oil know.”
30 percent. sources.
producing infrastructure dent of foreign oil in less fields in the Gulf of The Associated Press
Adding to the price of “If, in fact, the United
in place. time than it takes us to contributed to this report.
gas, Mahoney said, is States government were Mexico as a testament to
“Basically Florida is an
incremental pickup, so
excessive spending and not addicted to oil money drill it and get it out the safety of the practice. E-mail: nhughes@sun-herald.com
borrowing by the federal from the lobbyists, they there,” he said.
they (oil companies) see Grant, too, hopes the
government. He said a would have taken us
this as a windfall profit,”
Mahoney said. “On
balanced budget would
go a long way in reducing
down the path of renew- discussion remains on
alternative energy rather
Who produces our oil?
Florida’s side, we’re not able a long time ago,” he
gas prices. said. than oil. Percentage of annual Foreign non-
going to see Chevron U.S. consumption for
“If we said to the world, Bennett doesn’t have a “At some point in time, OPEC nations
moving a big research 2006, the last year
‘Guess what, we’re not problem with the act of you can’t be dependent for which complete 43.6%
and development center
borrowing any money drilling — he thinks it’s on Saudi Arabia, Iraq or data is available.
to Sarasota or Port
Charlotte.”
anymore;’ that could be safe and could be done at Iran for the energy you
the biggest thing that we a distance where it need,” Grant said, noting
Both Buchanan and OPEC nations
could do to reduce the that increasing capacity
Mahoney are joined by wouldn’t be an eyesore — Domestic
Florida Sen. Bill Nelson in
cost of gas at the pump,”
but he opposes it because
will likely not reduce U.S.
production
29.3%
Mahoney said. dependence on foreign
opposition to offshore he would prefer the
drilling. They feel it
Beyond financial
country put its efforts on
oil. 27.1%
places Florida’s tourism reform, all three officials Currently, nearly two-
hope to see federal dollars alternatives. thirds of the United
economy and natural He recalled great
beauty at risk. directed toward alterna- States’ oil comes from
tive energy sources. historical feats by Ameri- foreign countries,
Nelson has introduced cans, such as putting a
a bill in the U.S. Senate “We’ve got to be willing according to the U.S.
to invest in our universi- man on the moon, as Energy Information
that would ban unregulat-
ties and other sources to evidence of collective Administration.
ed speculative trading of
find other sources of American ambition at For starters, he’d prefer
oil futures.
“Sometimes I have been energy other than this,” work. drilling for gas before oil.
a lonely voice because it Buchanan said. “The Manhattan “If there’s any pollution
is easy and seductive to He cited France’s Project, they delivered involved with gas, I’m
say, with $4 gas, we ought reliance on nuclear power that project in 18 months, unaware of what it would
to drill,” Nelson said on as a start. The French, he because they delivered be,” he said.
the Senate floor in June. said, utilized American the best and the bright- All three officials —
“But I hope I have perfection of nuclear est,” Bennett said. Kreegel, Grant and
demonstrated to the power and embraced it to According to Libby Bennett — said they are
Senate that the problem is avoid commitment to Cheney, vice president, concerned about the
much more complicated petroleum. region support direc- environmental effects of
and that we cannot “They (the French) did torate for Shell explo- offshore oil drilling. But
simply drill our way out of not want to be in the ration and production, it none expressed a belief
the problem.” situation that we’re in would take five to seven that current drilling
Buchanan said he today,” Buchanan said. years to get an oil-drilling practices pose any threat
agrees with the Senate’s “We’re basically hooked platform out in the Gulf. to the environment.
— Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
push to remove specula- on this drug called gas.” By Bennett’s logic, if Kreegel said he sub-
tors from the oil market. E-mail: nhughes@sun-herald.com Americans can put a man scribes to the same SUN GRAPHIC BY JOSH OLIVE

5.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008/ The Sun www.sun-herald.com D/E/N/C Front Page 5
FLORIDA REPORT
Slain officer’s widow shares memories
FORT MYERS NEWS PRESS become a police with people.” recently bought a house in Cape Coral
CAPE CORAL — The widow of slain officer. Still, Johnson said, Widman would where she stays at home caring for
Fort Myers Police Officer Andrew “My husband made not have hesitated to use force if their three children, ages 4 years, 20
Widman said she felt deep pride in him the decision to stop necessary. months and 5 months. She has no
when he made the decision to become doing what he “That’s one of the things we asked plans to leave the area, she said.
a police officer. dreamed of doing, and him when we interviewed him,” John- “Everywhere I look, I see something
His dream, Susanna (Rickards) he did not look back,” son said. “You know, ‘If you had to pull he did or had his hands on,” she said.
Widman said, had always been to Susanna said Monday. a gun on someone, could you do it?’ “I’m not leaving that.”
become a missionary. His particular WIDMAN “I kept asking if he was And he said ‘Yes. I have a wife and She appreciates the support of the
passion had been the Shan people of OK with it, and he family, and I want to make sure I go area’s police officers and the communi-
Myanmar, many of whom have fled to would say, ‘I’m good, this is what I need home.’ ” ty since her husband’s death early
neighboring Thailand under persecu- to do.’ And I loved him so much for Susanna added she hoped her Friday when he was called to the scene
tion. He had been on several short- that. I was very proud of him.” husband would be remembered by of a domestic dispute in downtown
term trips there and also to Eastern But Widman also loved police work. other officers by following his easy- Fort Myers. The suspect, Abel Arrango,
Europe. He was good at it, too, according to going example. gunned down Andrew Widman, 30,
Susanna said she and the family had Maj. Glenn Johnson, one of the many “He really thought of himself as a before officers shot and killed Arrango.
planned to move to Thailand to work officers staying with the family around- servant,” she said. “He approached “It’s not easy to live on one income,
with the refugees, but weren’t able to the-clock as they prepare for Widman’s things a little differently. He gave but he worked so hard and budgeted so
raise enough money. With two children funeral. people the benefit of the doubt.” well,” Widman said. “Now everyone
and a third on the way, they made the “He won us all over right away,” The pair met at a small Christian else is making his dream and what he
decision as a family that Andrew would Johnson said. “And he just had this way college in Georgia, she said. The couple worked so hard for come true.”
| OTHER HEADLINE NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
More turtles reach the Ex-church youth leader
beach; numbers up convicted of murder
SANIBEL — After two years of TAMPA — A jury has convicted
dismal turtle nesting seasons in a former church youth leader of
Southwest Florida, there are strangling a teenage boy.
pockets of success this year. Hillsborough Circuit Judge
The biggest improvement is William Fuente on Monday
on Sanibel and Captiva, where sentenced Joshua Rosa to life in
there are more than 330 nests Y
`
y
prison without parole after the
compared to about 150 last year. 111
22-year-old was convicted of
There were 106 nests on Captiva _
'
first-degree murder.
as of Monday. There were 50 the 1
A message left for Assistant
same time last year. The west ? -
State Attorney Jay Pruner was
end of Sanibel has more 200, not immediately returned, and
. i
. t .
which is almost 100 more than defense attorney Brian Gonzalez
last year, while the 30 nests on was not available for comment.
the island’s east end is about the Rosa was charged in the
same as last year. December 2005 slaying of 13-
Why this year is better on year-old Stephen Tomlinson,
Sanibel is a mystery. AP PHOTO who lived across the street. The
“We have no idea. We would boy’s body was found in a
love to have some explanation,’’
said Amanda Bryant, a biologist
‘Separate bills, please’ wooded area of a north Tampa
park. He had bruises consistent
with the Sanibel-Captiva Baby muscovy ducks, a few weeks old, feed on discarded animal food early Monday, in Pembroke Pines, with a struggle.
Conservation Foundation. But Fla. before the temperature climbs to 90 degrees and the afternoon rain storms begin. — Associated Press
she’s happy to take what is
happening. Boy left in car had
— Fort Myers News-Press 108F temperature
‘Nature’s theme park’ 10
WEST PALM BEACH — West
opens in Bradenton Palm Beach authorities are
.?a?9r?kC0?3
F?bW Tallahassee Jacksat & investigating how a boy was left
MANATEE — “Ecstatic” was 10 in a hot car as his mother did her
how Brianna Ewert described nails hours before her wedding.
Suwtaru?ae
how she felt about Robinson h3lwer St. J ohns The boy later died at a hospital.
Preserve opening to the public RAW The Palm Beach County
over the weekend.
The school teacher, her FLORIDA oriylwe Beach
Medical Examiner says the boy’s
temperature reached 108
parents and a friend were among 5
degrees Fahrenheit.
dozens of people visiting the
park Sunday, one day after the
Iguanas stir The Palm Beach County
Sheriff’s Office says that 29-year-
official opening. A parking lot outrage on Keys Cq* Canaveral old Mirland Baptiste may not
was full in the afternoon. have known the boy was in the
KEY LARGO — Monroe County 4 Melbourne
The 487-acre park of restored car. She dropped off other chil-
coastal habitat features 2.5 miles Commissioners want the state to Tampa
crack down on the exploding num- S1. Pa ler sbu Ver a Beach
dren at a relative’s house Saturday
of kayaking and canoeing trails, before going to the salon.
12 acres of open water, 56 acres bers of iguanas in the Keys. Florida' T
Saras0la She was supposed to get
The commission last week asked Arcadia
of marshland and 10 acres of nice married later that day. Instead,
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conser- Node PaA
uplands. There are two docks, a 5
Charlot te the family mourned the death of
vation Commission to enact rules
500-foot long boardwalk, six Gregory Cesar.
that would prohibit people from Punta Lik e paw Beach
bridges and almost 10 miles of Officials say the boy may have
releasing their green reptile pets into Ohr
coastal, shell and paved trails been in the car for more than
the wild.
with two 400-foot long pathways Na Fart Lauderdale two hours.
Iguanas are a problem in many
through mangrove forests. — Associated Press
parts of South Florida. People dislike Hial eah
— Bradenton Herald
the scaly creatures because they tear Mierltt
up yards and gardens. Grandma: Mom knows
EVE
IF YOU GO Palm Beach County Commission- NATIONAL P who has missing girl
ers passed a similar resolution earlier
-
What: Robinson Preserve. ORLANDO — The grandmoth-
Where: 1704 99th St. N.W., this month.
northwest of Bradenton. Main — Associated Press • er of a 2-year-old girl missing
entrance is at the corner of 17th Key Wes t; since early June said Monday the
Avenue and 99th Street Northwest. girl’s mother, jailed after police
More information: Call the Conser- said she failed to report the
vation Lands Management Depart-
ment, 941-748-4501, ext. 4602, or disappearance for more than a
visit www.mymanatee.org/conserva- Jacksonville police Panhandle zoo seeks month, knows who has the
tion.html toddler.
Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset daily. say three 3 die in help to stay afloat A lawyer for the Orlando girl’s
random slayings mother, Casey Anthony, said his
GULF BREEZE — A Florida Man found guilty of
Sarasota Red Sox study JACKSONVILLE — Three Panhandle zoo is asking local client wants to help investigators
brutally killing woman and urged authorities to release
accepted by Commission people died in random officials for help to get it out
slayings and another who of financial woes. DELAND — A jury has her. Anthony, 22, was arrested
SARASOTA — Sarasota’s allegedly stole a police car Officials from The Zoo found a man guilty of first- last week after telling authorities
pursuit of the Boston Red Sox and threatened officers with a Northwest Florida plan to ask degree murder in the death of her daughter Caylee Marie
moved forward a bit more knife was fatally shot by the Santa Rosa County a 21-year-old New Smyrna Anthony had been missing since
Monday when the city commis- police during a wave of Commission on Monday to Beach woman. June 9. Casey Anthony was
sion voted unanimously to violence in Jacksonville become the first member of A Volusia jury deliberated charged with child neglect and
accept a study that pegged the Sunday. the tri-county Interlocal for about three hours Monday criminal obstruction for alleged-
team’s potential annual spring Mayor John Peyton and Zoological Authority. The before finding Russell Brad- ly lying to detectives.
training economic impact at Sheriff John Rutherford held a organization would include shaw guilty of the September Her mother, Cindy Anthony,
$47.7 million. The city commis- news conference Monday governments from Santa 2006 killing of Lisa Ann said Monday on NBC’s “Today”
sioners also directed the city afternoon and called on the Rosa, Escambia and Okaloosa Memro. her daughter should be released
manager to look at “multiple City Council to pass a budget counties that would help the The jury will have a chance so she can help detectives.
sites” to locate a new spring- that includes a $30 million zoo regain its financial to recommend a sentence for “I know Casey knows who has
training facility. Eleven Sarasota anti-crime program. footing. The zoo’s executive Bradshaw next week. her,” she said. “I know Casey
County residents spoke in “It was a sad and bloody director says that if the According to testimony, doesn’t know where they’re at
support of their elected officials day in Jacksonville, Fla.,” commission can’t determine a Memro was struck in the back right at the moment. But I don’t
continuing the pursuit of the Peyton said, offering his way to work with them, she of the head and jaw, stran- know anything else right now
Red Sox, who have trained in condolences to the families of will have to recommend that gled, and her throat was slit. because I can’t speak to my
Fort Myers since 1993. those killed. the zoo be closed. daughter.
— Fort Myers News-Press — Associated Press — Associated Press — Associated Press — Associated Press

6.
Front Page 6 D/E/N/C www.sun-herald.com NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS The Sun /Tuesday, July 22, 2008
| NATION
Salmonella strain
found in jalapeño
Bush gives Olympians a rousing send-off
WASHINGTON (AP) —
WASHINGTON — President Bush gave U.S.
Government inspectors Olympians a rousing
have found the same White House send-off to
salmonella strain next month’s games in
responsible for a nation- Beijing, urging them
wide food-poisoning Monday to “compete
outbreak in a Mexican- swifter, higher and
grown jalapeno in a stronger” but also be
Texas plant, prompting a mindful they will be
new warning for con- “ambassadors of liberty”
sumers to avoid eating to the people of China
fresh jalapenos. and elsewhere.
The Food and Drug Bush is attending the
Administration called opening ceremonies and
Monday’s announce- the first few days of the
ment a “very important Aug. 8-24 games. Stand-
break in the case.” ing in the Rose Garden
But it doesn’t mean with about two dozen
Mexican jalapenos are athletes who will com-
the culprit — the pete in the Beijing
pepper may not have Olympics and the corre-
sponding Paralympics APPHOTO
been contaminated on
there in September, Bush President Bush makes remarks to the 2008 U.S. Summer Olympic Team, Monday, in the Rose Garden of the White House
the farm. And while
said he is “fired up” to in Washington.
tomatoes currently are
watch some of the China’s crackdown on ate context. said. “As ambassadors of “We send you off with
safe to eat, health
competition. protesters in Tibet. The But while talking to the liberty, you will represent congratulations on the
officials also said the
“I can’t wait to salute Bush administration athletes about their America’s love for free- success you have already
finding doesn’t exoner-
our athletes, and I can’t argues that the Olympics responsibilities in dom and our regard for achieved, and on the
ate tomatoes that were
wait to share in the joy of are a sporting event not Beijing, Bush had a human rights and accomplishments we
sold earlier in the
your triumphs,” he said. to be politicized, and subtle message for China human dignity ... to know will be yours in
spring and summer.
Human rights groups that the president will itself. other athletes and to the Beijing,” he said. “We’re
had urged Bush to raise human and reli- “You will convey our people of China.” looking forward to
Court rejects boycott the opening
Janet Jackson fine gious rights with Chinese nation’s most cherished Bush beamed with rooting for you in
ceremonies to oppose officials in the appropri- values,” the president pride at Team USA. Beijing.”
PHILADELPHIA — A
federal appeals court on
Monday threw out a
$550,000 indecency fine Assault victims in military Sick drivers cause
against CBS Corp. for the
2004 Super Bowl half-
time show that ended
face difficult recovery fatal accidents
with Janet Jackson’s YORK, Pa. (AP) — It took WASHINGTON (AP) — completed any of eight
breast-baring “wardrobe Diane Pickel Plappert six Tractor-trailer and bus recommendations that
malfunction.” months to tell a counselor drivers in the United U.S. safety regulators
The three-judge that she had been raped States have suffered have proposed since
panel of the 3rd U.S. while on duty in Iraq. seizures, heart attacks or 2001. One would set
Circuit Court of While time passed, the unconscious spells minimum standards for
Appeals ruled that the former Navy nurse behind the wheel that led officials who determine
Federal Communica- disconnected from her to deadly crashes on whether truckers are
tions Commission children and her life highways. Hundreds of medically safe to drive.
“acted arbitrarily and slowly unraveled. thousands of drivers carry Another would prevent
capriciously” in issuing Carolyn Schapper says commercial licenses even truckers from “doctor
the fine for the fleeting she was harassed in Iraq though they also qualify shopping” to find a
image of nudity. The 90 by a fellow Army National for full federal disability physician who might
AP PHOTO
million people watch- Guard soldier to the payments, according to a overlook a risky health
ing the Super Bowl, extent that she began Carolyn Schapper poses in her home in Washington, D.C., new safety study obtained condition.
many of them children, changing clothes in the July 3. Schapper was harassed in Iraq by a fellow Army by The Associated Press. Truckers violating
heard Justin Timberlake shower for fear he’d barge National Guard soldier to the point that she began chang- The problems threaten- federal medical rules have
sing, “Gonna have you ing clothes in the shower, for fear he’d barge into her room ing highway travelers been caught in every
into her room unan- — as he had on several occasions.
naked by the end of this nounced — as he already persist despite years of state, according to a
song,” as he reached for had on several occasions. Depression, anxiety, her, “I felt like I was being government warnings review by the AP of 7.3
Jackson’s bustier. Even as women distin- problem drinking, sexual- suffocated.” and hundreds of deaths million commercial driver
guish themselves in battle ly transmitted diseases Plappert’s marriage and injuries blamed on violations compiled by
At least two die alongside men, they’re and domestic abuse are all eventually fell apart. She commercial truck and the Transportation
in B-52 crash fighting off sexual assault problems that have been credits treatment at the VA bus drivers who blacked Department in 2006.
and harassment. It’s not a linked to sexual abuse, — as well as her artwork out, collapsed or suffered Texas, Maryland, Georgia,
HONOLULU — An new consequence of war. according to the Miles depicting trauma and major health problems Florida, Indiana, Pennsyl-
Air Force B-52 bomber But the sheer number of Foundation, a nonprofit recovery — with helping behind the wheels of vania, Illinois, Michigan,
crashed off Guam on women serving today — group that provides her reconnect with her vehicles that can weigh 40 Alabama, New Jersey,
Monday morning, more than 190,000 so far support to victims of children. She left the tons or more. Minnesota and Ohio were
killing at least two in Iraq and Afghanistan — violence associated with military and is studying at The U.S. agency states where drivers were
airmen and leading to is forcing the military and the military. Since 2002, Drexel University to responsible for cracking sanctioned most fre-
the search of a vast area Department of Veterans the foundation says it has become a psychiatric down on unfit truckers, quently for breaking
of the Pacific Ocean for Affairs to more aggressive- received more than 1,000 nurse practitioner while the Federal Motor Carrier medical rules, such as
the remaining four ly address it. reports of assault and rape continuing to work as a Safety Administration, failing to carry a valid
crew members, the The data that exists — in the U.S. Central Com- civilian nurse. acknowledges it hasn’t medical certificate.
military said. incomplete and not up- mand areas of operation, She said it’s hard for
Six vessels, three to-date — offers no proof which include Iraq and people outside a war
helicopters, two F-15 that women in the war Afghanistan. environment to under-
fighter jets and a B-52 zones are more vulnerable In most reports to the stand how living in high-
bomber were involved to sexual assault than foundation, fellow U.S. stress, primitive condi-
Connecting Children,
in the search, which other female service service members have tions can affect your Classrooms, and Community
had covered about 70 members, or American been named as the ability to make decisions.
square miles of ocean, women in general. But in perpetrator, but contrac- She didn’t report the
said Coast Guard tors and local nationals attack immediately, she Take Stock in Children has the opportunity
an era when the military
spokeswoman Lt. relies on women for also have been accused. said, because she felt an to provide up to 26 new scholarships for
Elizabeth Buendia. invaluable and difficult Plappert, 47, said she obligation to continue the incoming 8th graders in Charlotte County.
“We have an active front-line duties, the was raped by Iraqi men in mission and not burden
search that’s going to go threat to their morale, 2003 at a store in Hillah, others. She also wondered We need your help to provide mentoring
on throughout the performance and long- when she got separated how the report would be
night,” she said Monday. from her group. perceived.
for 31 active and incoming students.
term well-being is starkly
The Navy, Coast Guard, clear. By the time the Navy “What I’ve got to try to
Air Force and local fire
and police departments
Of the women veterans Reserves commander think is that there’s got to WHY?
from Iraq and Afghanistan returned home, she felt be some reason why this
were involved. like she was “numb.” has happened,” said
Financially eligible, at-risk students need an
who have walked into a VA
facility, 15 percent have “I didn’t feel anything,” Plappert, who first adult like you to serve as a mentor in a
| WORLD screened positive for
military sexual trauma,
she said during an inter-
view at her town home in
recounted the assault to a
VA counselor and eventu-
middle or high school near your home or
workplace. Mentor today 30-45 minutes per
Winehouse hubby The Associated Press has south-central Pennsylva- ally told her story to week. Help send a child to college.
gets 27 months learned. That means they nia. When her kids, now Defense Department and
indicated that while on ages 10 and 12, hugged VA task forces.
LONDON — Amy active duty they were
Winehouse’s husband sexually assaulted, raped,
was sentenced Monday
to 27 months in jail for
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8.
Front Page 8 D/E/N/C www.sun-herald.com WORLD NEWS The Sun /Tuesday, July 22, 2008
| WORLD Obama gathers Iraqi support for US pullout
Rice: Iran not BAGHDAD (AP) — Face mark the departure of the
serious at talks to face with Iraq’s leaders, last U.S. combat unit, he
Barack Obama gained said — then noted that
ABU DHABI, United fresh support Monday for any such goal could be
Arab Emirates — the idea of pulling all U.S. revised depending on
Secretary of State combat forces out of the threats and the pace of
Condoleezza Rice war zone by 2010. But the training for Iraqi security
accused Iran on Mon- Iraqis stopped short of forces. That date would
day of not being serious actual timetables or be some seven months
at weekend talks about endorsement of Obama’s later than Obama’s 16-
its disputed nuclear pledge to withdraw month timeline.
program despite the American troops within Obama said almost
presence of a senior 16 months if he wins the nothing to reporters as he
U.S. diplomat, and presidency. walked to and from his
warned it may soon The Democratic presi- meetings.
face new sanctions. dential contender also got “Excellent conversa-
In her first public a military briefing — and tion,” he said as he left
comments since a helicopter tour — from talks with al-Hashemi in
Saturday’s meeting in the top U.S. commander his gold-hued reception
Switzerland, Rice said in the region, Gen. David room. “Very construc-
Iran had given the run- Petraeus, and he met with tive,” he said after leaving
around to envoys from a few of the nearly a meeting with al-Maliki.
AP PHOTO
the U.S. and five other 150,000 U.S. troops now Obama promised to
world powers. She said well into the war’s sixth In this photo released by the U.S. army, U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama, right, give fuller impressions
all six nations were year. and top U.S. military commander in Iraq, David Petraeus, left, walk down a runway at after his stop in Iraq
serious about a two- Back in the U.S., Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, Monday. Iraq’s government welcomed Obama on wraps up Tuesday and he
week deadline Iran now Republican rival John Monday with a message of apparent common ground on American troop withdrawal goals: heads to Jordan and then
expressing hopes that combat forces could leave by 2010.
has to agree to freeze McCain said he hoped Israel.
suspect activities and Obama’s visit would open displeasure with recent schedule and offered a possible timetable for a In Washington, the
start negotiations or be his eyes to the danger of public comments by Iraqi glimpse of Iraq’s growing U.S. troop pullout. White House expressed
hit with new penalties. withdrawal timetables. leaders on the withdrawal confidence as violence Iraq’s Sunni vice unhappiness about Iraqi
Rice was briefed on Said the Arizona senator, question and suggested drops and Iraqi security president, Tariq al- leaders’ apparent public
the meeting by the who was meeting with they might have the U.S. forces expand their roles. Hashemi, said after backing for Obama’s
State Department’s No. President Bush’s father, election on their minds. “We are hoping that in meeting Obama that Iraqi troop withdrawal plans
3 diplomat, Undersec- the former president, in As Obama visited Iraq 2010 that combat troops leaders share “a common and suggested the Iraqis
retary of State William Maine: “When you win for the first time in more will withdraw from Iraq,” interest ... to schedule the may be trying to use the
Burns, who attended wars, troops come home.” than two years, com- spokesman Ali al-Dab- withdrawal of American U.S. presidential elec-
the session in a shift He said of Obama: “He’s ments Monday by the bagh said after Obama troops.” tion as leverage for
from Washington’s been completely wrong nation’s government met with Prime Minister “I’d be happy if we negotiations on Ameri-
previous insistence that on the issue.” spokesman roughly Nouri al-Maliki — who reach an agreement to ca’s presence and future
it would not meet with In Washington, the mirrored the Illinois has struggled for days to say, for instance, the 31st obligations in the
the Iranians unless White House expressed senator’s withdrawal clarify Iraq’s position on a of December 2010” would country.
enrichment of uranium
had stopped.
Ex-bin Laden
driver enters plea
Zimbabwe sides agree
GUANTANAMO BAY
NAVAL BASE, Cuba —
to power-sharing talks
The first Guantanamo HARARE, Zimbabwe
war crimes trial began (AP) — Three months
Monday with a not after the voting and
guilty plea from a violence began, Zimbab-
former driver and we’s embattled President
alleged bodyguard for Robert Mugabe and his
Osama bin Laden. AP PHOTO bitter opposition rival
Salim Hamdan, a agreed Monday to hold
Yemeni, entered the An Olympic lane marker is seen from a car in Beijing talks immediately about
plea through his lawyer Monday. Millions of Beijing commuters kept their cars sharing power to end
parked and took public transportation on Monday, the first
at the U.S. Navy base in the country’s political
workday under new restrictions keeping half of the vehicles
Cuba. in this smog-choked city off the streets before the Olympics. crisis.
He is the first prison- But the rivals’ first
er to face a U.S. war
crimes trial since World
War II.
Beijing has first joint appearance in a
decade did not bring
relief to Zimbabweans President Robert Mugabe, left, greets South African
AP PHOTO
Judge Keith Allred, a
Navy captain, called a workday under grappling with the
world’s worst inflation.
President Thabo Mbeki, right at the signing of a
memorandum of understanding between Zanu-PF and the
MDC in Harare, Monday. Both of the leaders said they
jury pool of uniformed They lined up outside
American military
officers into the court-
car restrictions banks for Monday’s
release of a new Zim-
were committed to the talks.
solution,” adding that The agreement sets
room for questioning BEIJING (AP) — Traffic on days they should not babwe $100 billion note “not finding a solution is out priorities of a new
by lawyers on both flowed a little smoother. will be fined $14, a stiff issued by the central not an option.” government, including
sides. A conviction on Busy avenues had fewer penalty even for Beijing. bank — an instant hit Mugabe stressed they restoring economic
charges of conspiracy cars. By nightfall, even It wasn’t known how with collectors on eBay. must “chart a new way” stability, and calls for
and supporting terror- the hazy sky had mostly many tickets were Mugabe and opposi- and act without influ- discussing land reform
ism could lead to a life cleared. issued; phones rang tion leader Morgan ence from Europe or the and Western sanctions
sentence for Hamdan. So went the first unanswered all day at Tsvangirai signed the United States — a dig at targeting Mugabe and
“You must impartial- workday under a govern- the police traffic man- breakthrough deal Tsvangirai, whom he about 130 of his top
ly hear the evidence,” ment-imposed plan to agement bureau. agreeing in cautious calls a Western puppet. aides.
Allred told the poten- reduce Beijing’s foul air Sun Weide, spokesman language that they have An official from It was also signed by
tial jurors. “He must be pollution before the start for Beijing’s Olympic an obligation to estab- Tsvangirai’s party said South Africa’s President
presumed to be of next month’s organizing committee, lish a framework of the talks are to begin Thabo Mbeki, the
innocent.” Olympics. said the plan should “working together in an Thursday in South mediator for whom the
Millions of commuters reduce vehicle emissions inclusive government.” Africa’s capital, Pretoria, agreement is a diplo-
Search for turned to subways, buses by 63 percent. The It commits them to with representatives matic coup. Mbeki had
missing girl ends and car pools as the emissions are a major creating a “genuine, from both sides. He insisted that dialogue —
strict program sought to cause of the thick, gray- viable, permanent and spoke on condition of and not punitive sanc-
LISBON, Portugal — take half of Beijing’s 3.3 brown haze that often sustainable solution” anonymity because he is tions — was the only
Portugal’s attorney million cars off the road. hides the city’s skyline. within two weeks and not authorized to speak way to deal with
general ordered police In parts of the city, Changes in air quality calls on parties to to reporters. Mugabe.
Monday to halt their traffic was visibly lighter will be monitored by “eliminate all forms of
investigation into the than on other workdays. experts from the city’s political violence.”
disappearance of “There were much environmental protec- ATEE DR. CRISS DR . PLANER DR.BURT DR. N
The deal, following DR . KENNEDY DR. McATEE DR. CRISS DR .PLANE R
British girl Madeleine fewer vehicles on the tion bureau, which has three months of state- BURT DR .MILLER DR. CDHEN DR. MURPHY
McCann because airport expressway, and I 27 survey stations sponsored electoral
detectives uncovered
:01N OU R
could drive much faster,” around Beijing and violence, was seen as a '
1
no evidence of a crime said civil servant Lin Kai, another 18 in Olympic victory for the opposi-
during their 14-month shaving with an electric venues, according to the tion and was similar in
FAM LY
k
probe. razor while sitting in his state-run Beijing Times concept to the pact
The case will remain parked car. newspaper. worked out between
closed unless new He said he bought a So far, “the air in the rivals to end ethnic and I
evidence emerges, new bicycle because of city is good, the density political violence in
Attorney-General
Fernando Pinto Mon-
the restrictions and
would try to pedal to
of pollutants has fallen,”
the report said, citing the
Kenya that killed more
than 1,000 people
WE 'RE GOING TO TAKE
teiro’s office said in a work a few times a week bureau. But it will take at earlier this year. CARE Of YOU
statement. Detectives despite the summer heat least 20 days for results Tsvangirai called it
found no reason to and the hour-long ride. to be conclusive, deputy “the first tentative step
charge any of the three The two-month opera- director Du Shaozhong toward searching for a
people named as tion that began Sunday was cited as saying.
suspects: Madeleine’s bans cars with odd-
parents Kate and Gerry numbered license plates
and local man Robert
Murat, the statement
one day, even-numbered
plates the next. The Owe Back Taxes?
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— From wire reports Those caught driving www.lowerbacktaxes.com Port Char lott e ,FL 33948 www.fami lymedcine.us

9.
DOW
BUSINESS
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NYSE
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8,499.74 +45.89
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NASDAQ
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S&P 500 1,260.00 -0.68
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 www.sun-herald.com Editor: Bob Fliss
Economy contracts in June
MALCOLM BERKO Unemployment, stocks push down leading indicators
By ELLEN SIMON economists surveyed by it’s even weaker in the second devastating for the manufac-
Burned by AP BUSINESS WRITER Thomson Financial/IFR. half of 2008.” turers that produce everything
The group also revised May’s The index has slipped 0.9 from spark plugs to vinyl
Clean Coal NEW YORK — Factories
laying off workers, stocks number downward to a 0.2 percent for the six months siding. And more job cuts are
percent decrease, from a 0.1 ending in June, but the rate of almost certain: General
Technologies tumbling and shoppers
ditching their credit cards percent increase. decline has improved since Motors Corp. said last week it
forced the economy to con- The financial crisis, high gas the first quarter. The index is will slash production of trucks
D
ear Mr. Berko: You and food prices, and the weak designed to forecast where the and sport utility vehicles by
tract in June, a trend likely to
wrote a column on continue in the second half of dollar “are all combining to economy is heading in the 300,000 by the end of next
Clean Coal Technolo- 2008, a private business group produce unrelenting down- next three to six months based year.
gies last January when it was said Monday. ward pressure on economic on 10 economic components, Manufacturers that make
trading at $23. I’m a chemi- The New York-based Confer- activity,” said Ken Goldstein, including stock prices, build- anything related to cars and
cal engineer and I know ence Board’s forecast of future labor economist with the ing permits and initial claims trucks have been laying off
something about the tech- economic activity fell 0.1 Conference Board. “This is for unemployment benefits. workers, cutting their hours,
nology so I bought 300 percent last month, in line also why it wouldn’t take Downturns in the auto and
shares for $7,000. Within with forecasts by Wall Street much to push the economy so housing industries have been ECONOMY | P10
several weeks the stock ran
up to $58 so I sold my stock
and more than doubled my
money. I thank you for that Sakura Buffet debuts Apple 3Q
tip. However, several days
later the stock was trading in
the mid-$60s. I thought I
profit jumps
made a mistake so I re-
bought 300 shares at $68.
The stock ran up to $75 and
31 percent
crashed down to $1.60 By JESSICA MINTZ
AP TECHNOLOGY WRITER
several months later. What
Macintosh and iPod sales helped
did I miss? Where did I go
boost Apple Inc.’s fiscal third-quarter
wrong? Please advise me earnings 31 percent, beating Wall
because I still own the stock. Street’s expectations, but investors
- S.P., Aurora, Ill. pummeled the stock after Apple said
Dear S.P.: While Clean Coal profit margins contracted and the
Technologies Inc. (CCTC-$2) company issued soft guidance for the
was trading in the $70s, the current quarter.
company announced a 5-for- Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple said
Monday it earned $1.07 billion, or $1.19
1 split, so your 300 shares per share, 11 cents ahead of Wall
became 1,500; on an adjust- Street’s expectations, according to a
ed basis, the $75 a share Thomson Financial survey of analysts.
price now translates to $15 a Revenue jumped 38 percent to $7.46
share. billion, ahead of analysts’ average view
In that January column I for $7.37 billion in sales.
said that CCTC was a “gross Apple said it shipped more Macs in
the quarter than ever before — 2.5
speculation.” And I’ll remind SUN PHOTO BY SARAH COWARD, scoward@sun-herald.com
million, up 41 percent from a year ago,
you once again that not only Ken Lin, part owner and manager of Sakura Buffet in Port Charlotte, holds samples of sushi with desktop shipments growing faster
is it a gross speculation, it’s a items available at the restaurant, which also features traditional Chinese fare and a hibachi than laptops. Apple also said iPod
gross-gross speculation, station. shipments jumped 12 percent.
which is a gross squared.
You must also recognize Restaurant offers all the sushi you can eat During a conference call, Chief
Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer
that the speculative fervor in said sales from U.S. stores rose faster
By GEORGE COLLINS to 3 p.m. Mondays through than revenue overall, despite economic
CCTC was 95 percent unreal- STAFF WRITER Saturdays. Dinner hours are
istic and 95 percent unwar- The Fourth of July is a 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays
Peace River turmoil wrought by the domestic
mortgage and credit crises.
ranted. The speculators special day in America. through Thursdays and
Q&
Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive,
pushed CCTC to the ionos- This year it marked anoth- 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays did not join the conference call with
phere and also shoved it er special event — the and Saturdays. On Sundays, analysts as he commonly does. Apple
back to sea level. And you launching of an all-you- hours are from 11:30 a.m. did not return calls seeking an
don’t need to be reminded can-eat sushi buffet in to 9 p.m. explanation.
A
that you were a blithering Port Charlotte. Items on the sushi buffet Oppenheimer said in an interview
The Sakura Buffet opened include California rolls, that “the quarter was a home run,” but
idiot to rush back in after its doors at 2390 Tamiami salmon, tuna, red snapper, at first glance, investors disagreed.
earning a sweet $7,500 gain, Trail, north of Midway mackerel, shrimp, eel, Shares sank $10.40, or 6.3 percent, to
which has now been turned Boulevard. It also includes octopus, salmon roe and $155.89 in after-hours trading, after
into a loss (if sold 1,500 a traditional Chinese buffet conch. The chef’s speciali- gaining $1.34 to close at $166.29.
shares today at split adjusted and a hibachi station where ties change daily. Investors might have been eyeing
price of $3 a share) of you can get dishes pre- You also will find options that Apple’s gross margin fell to 34.8
$15,500. pared to order. ON THE RECORD percent from 36.9 percent in the year-
(Didn’t your daddy ever tell Lunch hours are 11 a.m. SAKURA | P10 ago quarter.
you, “Stop when you’ve
made a score - only fools go
back for more? But once
again they’ve started; fools Bank of America’s 2Q profit shrinks 41 percent
and profits are soon parted.”) By IEVA M. AUGSTUMS smaller-than-expected profit income of $3.41 billion, or 72 dential mortgages and home-
“Green” is fast becoming the AP BUSINESS WRITER declines, while Citigroup Inc. cents per share, on $20.32 building. The figure surged to
new red, white and blue, and CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bank had a milder-than-expected billion in revenue, in the April- $6.01 billion in the first quarter.
the U.S. is responsible for 26 of America Corp. has become $2.5 billion loss. June period. That compared During the second quarter,
percent of the world’s green- the latest in a string of big Wachovia Corp., the nation’s with net income of $5.76 troubled loans in residential
house gasses. Carbon is a banks whose second-quarter fourth-largest bank, is expect- billion, or $1.28 per share, on mortgage rose to $3.27 billion,
nasty, insidious global earnings, while hurting from ed to report earnings Tuesday. $19.63 billion in revenue a year nearly four times the amount
pollutant and it has the same the impact of the credit crisis, The Charlotte-based bank has earlier. from a year ago. Home equity
impact weather it’s emitted still managed to beat Wall said it may post a $2.6 billion Analysts on average expected loans also continued to rise to
Street expectations. to $2.8 billion loss for the a profit of 53 cents per share on $1.85 billion in troubled loans
from a sports utility vehicle The nation’s second-largest
or a coal-burning power quarter. $18.37 billion in revenue. from $496 million a year ago.
bank by assets said Monday its Net charge-offs, loans it
plant. And Clean Coal “Most of our businesses are Bank of America said credit
profit fell 41 percent as losses doesn’t think are collectable,
Technologies is the only performing well even with the quality continued to weaken
in its struggling mortgage jumped to $3.62 billion, up
technology about which I operations were offset by current state of the economy during the quarter, particularly
and the problems with hous- in markets that experienced from $1.5 billion a year ago,
know that can reduce 90 business in other parts of the reflecting housing market
company. But it easily beat ing,” Bank of America Chief the most significant home
percent of the carbon emis- deterioration and slowing
Wall Street estimates, and its Executive Officer Ken Lewis price declines.
sions from coal and increase said during a conference call The company more than economic conditions, the
its BTU output more than stock rose $1.95, or more than company said.
7 percent, to $29.44 in after- with analysts. “However, as I tripled the amount it set aside
enough to pay for the clean- said, we are not in denial. for bad loans to $5.83 billion, While credit quality in Bank
noon trading.
ing process. Credit losses are still going up, up from $1.81 billion a year of America’s residential mort-
Four of the nation’s five
CCTC has a contract with but given what we see today, ago, largely for consumer and gage portfolio continues to
biggest banks have now
Benham Cos. of Oklahoma deteriorate — the charge-off
reported better-than-estimated they are manageable.” commercial portfolios directly
City. Benham is a wholly Bank of America, also based tied to the housing market, rate more than doubled from
results. JPMorgan Chase & Co.
owned subsidiary of SAIC and Wells Fargo & Co. reported in Charlotte, reported net including home equity, resi- BANK | P10
Inc. (SAI-$19.80). SAIC, ............. ..
........... . ..............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. .
home ported in San Diego, is JULIE MATHIS | CHARLOTTE COUNTY CHAMBER COLUMN
a $9 billion revenue giant WALL STREET
that provides scientific, Thank you to those who attended the Candidates Forum Stocks end mixed on worries about earnings, oil
engineering and technology For those who didn’t let a little rain deter their plans to attend Wall Street turned in a mixed performance Monday as
the Candidates Forum last week, we thank you. PAGE 10 investors watched the price of oil regain ground. PAGE 11
BERKO | P11

10.
Front Page 10 D/E/N/C www.sun-herald.com FROM PAGE NINE The Sun /Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Thank you to those who attended the Candidates Forum
for the upcoming legisla- members. And, don’t you lotte County Teacher of them in a “to-go” box.
F
or those who didn’t
let a little rain deter tive session. Please visit like to do business with the Year, and to celebrate But, when someone rings
their plans to attend http://www.chamberview people you know? Stop by the successes of the your doorbell and tells
the Candidates Forum t - s.com/surveyQuestion.asp tomorrow evening and Business Education you the lot next to your
last week, we thank you. ?SurveyID=11340035 until bring a small gift to Partner of the Year nomi- house is on fire and you’d
There was a lot of mixing, Julie Aug. 15. Do not miss this promote your business. nees. To register, call Linda better evacuate, are you
mingling, hand shaking Mathis opportunity to help set We will welcome new in our Punta Gorda office prepared? You might feel
and information sharing. Florida’s business agenda. teachers during the at 941-639-2222. pretty foolish standing
The printed answers to The Business Card annual New Teachers’ There will not be a outside with your dog,
our Government Affairs begins on Aug. 11 and Exchange will run from Luncheon at noon on County Development purse, keys and realizing
Committee questions to you can vote by mail. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednes- Wednesday, Aug. 6 at the Review Committee that all your important
the candidates were There is absolutely no day at the new branch of Cultural Center of Char- meeting on Thursday. The papers are inside, as is
available for those in excuse not to vote, and if First Community Bank of lotte County. The new city DRC is scheduled to the “to-go” box for the
attendance to take and you don’t vote, you can’t America at 24100 Veterans teachers, many of whom meet at 9 a.m. on Friday. office. P.S., the fire
read. Copies of the 107- complain. Blvd., Port Charlotte. Last are new residents, are I’m confident that most department arrived in a
page document are Even though the 2009 month a member said matched with chamber of you have a disaster hurry and took care of
available in both Char- legislative session does they couldn’t stay at the members who have the plan for your business what turned out to be a
lotte County Chamber not begin until March 3, Card Exchange until opportunity to talk about and home in case of a small fire that was no
offices. You can register to the Florida Chamber is 7 p.m., and I assured him their business and our hurricane, but do you threat to the house, but. .
vote (change party already beginning to lay that wasn’t necessary. great community. While have one in case of a fire, . Julie Mathis is the
affiliation, address, etc) the groundwork for the Even if you can only stay we may not have as many flood or other disaster? executive director of the
for the Aug. 26 primary next legislative session for a half-hour and hand “matches” as we’ve had in When a hurricane is Charlotte County Cham-
until 5 p.m. on July 28 by and wants members of the out a few cards, you will the past, you can still join coming, we generally ber of Commerce.
visiting www.charlotte business community to gain some valuable face- us for lunch to hear from have time to gather up E-mail: jmathis@charlotte
votes.com. Early voting identify your top priorities to-face time with fellow Adrienne McElroy, Char- important papers and put countychamber.org.
Yahoo settles with Icahn to avert August showdown
By MICHAEL LIEDTKE of wrangling. best way for the Sunny- interested in exploring a want more even more new The shareholder angst
AP BUSINESS WRITER The main order of vale, Calif.-based company deal with Yahoo, especially faces on Yahoo’s board could intensify if Yahoo’s
SAN FRANCISCO — business will be the cease- to lift its sagging stock if the negotiations were after watching the compa- second-quarter earnings,
Yahoo Inc. averted a fire giving Icahn three of price. handled by a new board. ny’s market value plum- due Tuesday, disappoint
showdown with rabble- the 11 seats on Yahoo’s And with more than $1.5 Having been repeatedly met by more than 40 Wall Street. Analysts are
rousing investor Carl board, which will be billion invested in Yahoo, rebuffed by Yahoo so far, percent, or about $20 bracing for a letdown after
Icahn on Monday by expanded to make the Icahn isn’t likely to be Microsoft has been billion, since the end of Google and Microsoft
giving him three seats on deal possible. satisfied with the status reported to be discussing a 2005. All but one of Yahoo’s indicated last week that
its board of directors in a Eight of Yahoo’s current quo. He paid an average of possible acquisition of directors — Maggie the deteriorating economy
truce that still leaves the nine directors will be about $25 per share for his Time Warner Inc.’s AOL. Wilderotter — have been is hurting the online ad
door open for a possible retained, leaving the Yahoo holdings, meaning Microsoft wants to on the board since 2005. market.
sale to Microsoft Corp. company’s current regime he will sustain a loss strengthen its Internet “I am still very angry at After spending weeks
The compromise spares — headed by Chairman unless the company’s business to challenge this board and I am sure ridiculing Yang and the
Yahoo from more bicker- Roy Bostock and Chief stock perks up. Google Inc.’s dominance other shareholders feel the rest of Yahoo’s board,
ing with Icahn, an acerbic Executive Jerry Yang — in Yahoo shares fell 78 of the online search and same way,” said Eric Icahn apparently realized
billionaire who had spent the driver’s seat. cents Monday to finish at advertising market. Jackson, who manages a he had little hope of
the past two months Robert Kotick, the CEO $21.67 — well below the Standard and Poor’s hedge fund, Ironfire gaining control of the
spearheading a rebellion of video game maker $33 a share that Microsoft Internet analyst Scott Capital, that’s organizing a company.
to replace the Internet Activision Blizzard Inc. CEO Steve Ballmer dan- Kessler doubts Microsoft protest on behalf of about Things began to unravel
company’s entire board in and a Yahoo director for gled in early May before will buy Yahoo, but 150 Yahoo stockholders July 12 when Yahoo
retaliation for its rejection five years, will surrender withdrawing the bid after interpreted the Icahn with about 3.2 million rejected Microsoft’s latest
of Microsoft’s $47.5 billion his seat as part of the Yang sought $37 per share. agreement as a sign that combined shares. proposal to buy its online
takeover bid in May. agreement. Icahn’s involvement on the current board realizes Jackson said his group search operations in a
The duel had been But the compromise, corporate boards hasn’t it needs to shake things up plans to punctuate its complex deal assembled
scheduled to culminate in negotiated over the always paid off. For even more than Yang has displeasure by opposing in concert with Icahn.
a shareholder vote at weekend, doesn’t neces- instance, he won three already done since he the re-election of four Then, on Friday, Legg
Yahoo’s Aug. 1 annual sarily settle Yahoo’s fate, board seats at Blockbuster became CEO 13 months Yahoo incumbents — Mason Capital Manage-
meeting. which has been unclear Inc. in May 2005 and, ago. Bostock, Ronald Burkle, ment Inc. became the first
It now appears there will since Microsoft made its since then, the movie “It makes it more clear Eric Hippeau and Arthur major Yahoo shareholder
be fewer fireworks at that first unsolicited offer in rental chain’s stock price to shareholders that Kern. More than 30 to publicly declare its
gathering, although some January. has plunged by about 75 Yahoo’s board is amenable percent of Yahoo’s share- support for the incumbent
Yahoo shareholders are Icahn, who owns a 5 percent. to new ideas and is willing holders voted against board. Legg Mason, which
still expected to vent percent stake in Yahoo, Microsoft didn’t respond to do what’s necessary to Bostock, Burkle and Kern controls 4.4 percent of
about the board’s inability emphasized he still to requests for comment get the business back on at last year’s annual Yahoo shares, also encour-
to get a deal done with believes a sale of all or part Monday, but has previous- track,” Kessler said. meeting, with Jackson aged Yahoo and Icahn to
Microsoft after six months of Yahoo may still be the ly indicated it remains Some shareholders still leading the fight. negotiate a compromise.
ECONOMY: Unemployment, stocks push down leading indicators
FROM PAGE 9 flyers that come across my son, chief economist of city construction code. Board data after better- Schering-Plough Corp. In
desk is back where it was High Frequency Econom- The increase was so large than-expected earnings early afternoon trading,
selling the companies or in 2000, 2001, the last ics in Valhalla, N.Y. Build- that it boosted the leading from Bank of America the Dow Jones industrial
shutting their doors, said recession we had,” he said. ing permits for apartments index by 0.3 percent, Corp., but Wall Street average and Nasdaq
Ralph Hardt, president of A change in New York and condos leapt in New Shepherdson said, a figure fluctuated Monday composite index were
Feintool Inc., a Cincinnati city’s building code saved York last month as that will reverse in July. afternoon on worries down slightly, while the
component maker. June’s index from a larger builders rushed to file Stock investors appeared about earnings at drug Standard & Poor’s 500
“The number of auction drop, said Ian Shepherd- permits ahead of a new to ignore the Conference makers’ Merck & Co. and index edged up.
BANK: Bank of America’s second quarter profit shrinks 41 percent
FROM PAGE 9 than $34 billion in jumbo totaled $1.22 billion, down included $212 million of company into its own Bank, but it gave few
mortgages and $2.5 billion from the first quarter’s merger and restructuring operations. The job cuts details of LaSalle’s impact
the first quarter to the in alt-A mortgages, was $2.81 billion. costs. amount to about 12.5 during the quarter.
second, from 0.1 percent 0.91 percent for the Profit in consumer and Countrywide, whose percent of the combined Also on Monday, Lewis
to 0.24 percent — Sandler second quarter. small business banking results weren’t part of companies’ mortgage, reaffirmed his commit-
O’Neill & Partners LP Jumbo mortgages are fell 66 percent to $812 Bank of America’s figures, home equity and insur- ment not to cut the bank’s
analyst Jeff Harte wrote in loans that exceed the million. The corporate posted a second-quarter ance businesses. dividend, and said he
a client note it “does not maximum set by govern- and investment bank saw net loss of $2.33 billion, More details about would recommend to the
suggest that Bank of ment entities Fannie Mae profit rise 3 percent to including just under $4 Countrywide’s second board that it remain
America is seeing as rapid and Freddie Mac, and alt- $1.75 billion. In wealth billion in credit-related quarter results will be unchanged at 64 cents a
a rate of deterioration as A mortgages are given to and investment manage- losses. included in an upcoming share.
indicated by JPMorgan people with minor credit ment, profit fell 1 percent Bank of America said it quarterly regulatory filing, Lewis said in a confer-
last week.” problems or who lack to $573 million. now expects $900 million the bank said. Bank of ence call with analysts
Bank of America does proper documentation to Bank of America com- of cost savings by 2011 America will report its that while “it’s hard to be
not break out their get a traditional prime pleted its $2.5 billion from integrating Country- third quarter results in unequivocal on anything,”
residential mortgage loan. purchase of Countrywide wide, up from an original October. the fact that the bank is
portfolio by loan type. Elsewhere in its report, Financial Corp. on July 1, $670 million. The bank Bank of America said its poised to post the most
JPMorgan said its charge- Bank of America said a deal it now says will add had previously said it results reflected its profits among U.S. banks
off rate for prime mort- write-downs tied to to its profits this year. plans to cut about 7,500 acquisition in May of for the quarter offers
gages, which include more disrupted capital markets Second-quarter results jobs as it integrates the Chicago-based LaSalle reason for optimism.
SAKURA: Sakura Buffet opens in Port Charlotte, offering all the sushi you can eat
FROM PAGE 9 down to us by our ances- years’ cooking experience Ken: We focus on customers the right way we’re new. But we have
tors more than 60 years and has hired only the quality, cleanliness and to eat sushi and recom- had customers come in
such as crab legs, oysters, ago. best chefs. Under his service. Since our open- mend sake (Japanese rice four and five times a week
clams, mussels, shrimp, Using a mix of old-style training, they have ing, David has concen- wine) as a drink to make because they like what we
beef and chicken. Soups, traditions and today’s created an exceptional trated on customers’ sushi taste better. have and are glad there is
egg rolls, health food, a trendy tastes, we came up cooking team that ideas and opinions. In We have food runners a great sushi buffet in
salad bar and fresh fruit with the idea to open a believes in high-quality staff meetings, it was who keep their eyes on town instead of having to
are offered. new and exciting dining dishes with the freshest decided to change the the dining area to make drive to places like
What led to the open- experience that would seafood available from teppanyaki grill into five sure the place is always Sarasota.
ing of your buffet? separate our restaurant the Port Charlotte area inches instead of three clean. One customer said they
Ken: In 1998, chef from the rest. and Florida. inches in order to cook What has been the had just moved here from
David Han and I formed a After all the years of All other seafood is rush-hour lunch orders. reaction of your Miami and was glad that
partnership and opened planning and hard work, flown in fresh, and Sakura We added garlic and customers? we are open.
several small Japanese we created the Sakura uses only the highest- ginger into the teppanya- Ken: Actually, we have For more information,
and Chinese restaurants Buffet, which means quality produce, fruit and ki vegetables to make really great loyal cus- call 941-766-9595.
with the goal being to “cherry tree” in Japanese. other ingredients. them taste better. tomers, all of whom are,
perfect recipes handed David has 20-plus What is your focus? We’re also teaching of course, new to us since E-mail: collins@sun-herald.com

11.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008/ The Sun FROM PAGE NINE www.sun-herald.com D/E/N/C Front Page 11
Stocks end mixed on worries about earnings, oil
By JOE BEL BRUNO that higher investment present the report. is still feeling somewhat in Genentech Inc. it sound, while also prepar-
AP BUSINESS WRITER banking and record According to prelimi- upbeat about how earn- doesn’t already own for ing people for more
NEW YORK — Wall revenue helped drive nary calculations, the Dow ings are shaping up so far $43.7 billion, making it the troubled times ahead. “I
Street turned in a mixed earnings during the Jones industrial average this quarter. And that’s seventh-largest pharma- think it’s going to be
performance Monday as second quarter. fell 29.23, or 0.25 percent, helped to maintain some ceuticals company in the months that we’re working
investors watched the With Bank of America’s to 11,467.34 after moving of last week’s market U.S. our way through this
price of oil regain ground results, four of the nation’s in and out of positive gains, despite the pullback Shares of Genentech period — clearly months,”
and decided to cash in five biggest banks have territory. on Monday. were among the best he said.
some of their gains from now reported better-than- Broader indexes showed “We’re having some performers during the And that was confirmed
the stock market’s big rally expected earnings, and more modest declines. more good news from the session, rising $12.06, or by more economic data
last week. that’s raising hopes that The Standard & Poor’s 500 financials — it wasn’t as 14.7 percent, to $93.88. Monday. The Conference
While the stock market’s the financial sector is index slipped 0.68, or 0.05 bad as feared,” he said. Yahoo Inc. fell 78 cents, Board said the economy
major indexes showed starting to recover from percent, to 1,260.00; and “And we’ve also got some or 3.5 percent, to $21.67 contracted in June as
modest losses, the num- the year-old credit crisis. the Nasdaq composite buyout deals.” after the Internet portal factories cut workers’
ber of stocks advancing Still, “with crude trading index dropped 3.25, or Some 158 members of staved off an attempt by hours and stocks tumbled.
outpaced decliners by up near $130, and a big 0.14 percent, to 2,279.53. the Standard & Poor’s 500 activist shareholder Carl The research group’s index
about 2 to 1 on the New advance last week, some The moves follow a index and 10 members of Icahn to take control and of leading economic
York Mercantile Exchange, investors are taking chips strong week for the the Dow industrials are sell it. Icahn, who has indicators, a gauge of
and by about 4 to 3 on the off the table,” said Jim markets. The Dow last slated to post results this argued in favor of selling future economic activity,
Nasdaq Stock Market. Herrick, manager of week rose 3.57 percent, week. The biggest on Yahoo to Microsoft Corp., fell 0.1 percent, in line
The tame session equity trading at Baird & while the Nasdaq Monday was Bank of will become a Yahoo with estimates by Wall
unfolded as oil rose on Co. “We’re going to be in a increased 1.95 percent, America, which reported director along with two of Street economists sur-
concerns that the threat of tight trading range this and the S&P rose 1.71 that increased bad debt his nominees. veyed by Thomson
new sanctions against Iran week based on earnings percent. due to the housing slump Toy maker Hasbro Inc. Financial/IFR. It also
over its nuclear program and oil prices. I expect Bond prices rose pushed profits down 41 said second-quarter revised its May figure to
may escalate tensions in more of the same.” Monday as the major percent. However, it still profits rose, helped by the show a decline instead of
the Middle East. Light, The market was also stock indexes declined. surpassed expectations weaker dollar and slight growth.
sweet crude rose $2.16 to uneasy about earnings at The yield on the bench- due to a solid perfor- demand for toys inspired The Russell 2000 index
settle at $131.04 a barrel drug makers Merck & Co. mark 10-year Treasury mance in its business not by “Star Wars” and “Indi- of smaller companies rose
on the New York Mercan- and Schering-Plough note, which moves tied to real estate. The ana Jones.” Sales jumped 4.55, or 0.66 percent, to
tile Exchange. Corp. Both pharmaceuti- opposite its price, fell to stock rose $1.07, or 3.9 13 percent to $784.3 697.63.
The rise in oil offset cal companies fell after a 4.05 percent from 4.09 percent, to $28.56. million. However, con- Volume on the New York
initial market enthusiasm new study showed their percent late Friday. Investors also were cerns about costs and a Stock Exchange volume
after Bank of America cholesterol drug Vytorin The dollar was mixed somewhat optimistic that campaign to raise prices came to 1.2 billion shares.
Corp. posted results that did not meet its main against other major mergers and acquisitions, pushed shares down 64 Overseas, markets in
beat expectations, raising goals. They also took the currencies, while gold which have been sluggish cents to $37.35. Japan were closed for a
hope the credit crisis unusual step of delaying prices rose. since the credit crisis In economic news, holiday. Britain’s FTSE 100
might be easing for the their second-quarter Ryan Detrick, senior began last year, might be Treasury Secretary Henry rose 0.52 percent, Ger-
nation’s biggest retail results until after the technical strategist at reviving. Swiss drug maker Paulson sought to reas- many’s DAX index added
banks. The largest U.S. closing bell to allow Schaeffer’s Investment Roche Holding announced sure the public Sunday 0.66 percent, and France’s
bank by assets reported researchers time to Research, said the market plans to acquire the stake that the banking system is CAC-40 rose 0.65 percent.
Oil rises past $131 on Iran deadlock, Gulf storm
By ADAM SCHRECK days as gas station opera- may soon face new weekend in which the only rigs as a precaution. However, Dolly could hit
AP BUSINESS WRITER tors catch up to last week’s sanctions. The six nations outcome to the much- Dolly drenched Mexico’s rigs operated by Mexican
NEW YORK — Oil prices four-day oil sell-off, which have given Tehran a two- anticipated talks in Geneva Yucatan Peninsula and national oil company
rose Monday on a threat of left crude more than $18 week deadline to freeze between Iran and the West headed into the warmer Petroleos Mexicanos in the
new sanctions against Iran below the trading record of suspect activities and start was disappointment,” waters of the Gulf, packing Bay of Campeche, the
and as Tropical Storm $147.27 it hit on July 11. negotiations or be hit with Addison Armstrong, sustained winds near 50 forecasting company said.
Dolly headed into the Gulf “If the futures market new penalties. Tradition Energy’s director mph. The impending expira-
of Mexico, prompting a stays relatively flat this Iran is OPEC’s second of market research, said in The National Hurricane tion of the current oil
hurricane watch for parts week, we could see some largest oil producer and is a research note. Center in Miami issued a contract added to the day’s
of Texas and Mexico. further declines at the estimated to be No. 2 in Oil prices also rose hurricane watch from volatility, analysts said.
Light, sweet crude for pump,” said Jim Ritter- terms of global natural gas Monday on concerns that Brownsville, Texas, north to Natural gas prices, which
August delivery added busch, president of energy reserves. Tropical Storm Dolly may Port O’Connor, but so far have fallen sharply since
$2.16 to settle at $131.04 a consultancy Ritterbusch Investor perception disrupt operations in the U.S. government officials early this month, contin-
barrel on the New York and Associates. about the likelihood of Gulf of Mexico. had not asked residents to ued their slide. August
Mercantile Exchange. It was Energy traders bid oil conflict between Iran and Royal Dutch Shell PLC leave the coast. Mexico futures fell 6 cents to settle
oil’s first gain in a week. prices up after a weekend the West has been a major began evacuating workers also announced a hurri- at $10.51 per 1,000 cubic
For drivers in the U.S., meeting between Iran and reason for oil’s rise in from some work sites in cane watch from Rio San feet.
pump prices eased by a six world powers, including recent months. Traders the western part of the Fernando north to Mata- Kilduff attributed the
few pennies. A gallon of the U.S., failed to break the fear Tehran could respond Gulf, although it said it did moros and the U.S. border. ongoing sell-off in part to
regular gasoline now sells deadlock over Iran’s to an attack aimed at not expect Dolly to affect Dolly was expected to the weakening U.S.
for an average just shy of disputed nuclear program. halting uranium enrich- production. make landfall Wednesday economy, which has cut
$4.07, according to auto In her first public ment by blocking oil “You see oil companies as a Category 1 storm with industrial demand for the
club AAA, the Oil Price comments since Saturday’s supplies in the strategic evacuate personnel ... that sustained winds of 74 mph fuel, and a surprisingly
Information Service and meeting in Switzerland, Straight of Hormuz, a will lend support to to 95 mph. large increase in storage
Wright Express. Diesel U.S. Secretary of State passageway that handles prices,” said John Kilduff, AccuWeather.com levels last week. Technical
prices also pulled back, to Condoleezza Rice accused 40 percent of the world’s senior vice president for predicted the storm would models used to gauge
an average of $4.818 a Iran of not being serious at tanker traffic. risk management at MF not affect U.S. oil and pricing support, he added,
gallon. the talks despite the “The buying has picked Global LLC in New York. natural gas platforms in “have completely broken
Retail prices may decline presence of a senior U.S. up ... as U.S. traders return He predicted other compa- the Gulf despite the down” — giving traders
even more in the coming diplomat, and warned it to their desks after a nies would pull workers off likelihood of rough seas. little reason to be bullish.
BERKO: Speculators pushed CCTC to the ionosphere and shoved it back to sea level
FROM PAGE 9 China’s few pollution $3 price. If the process is 10 kilowatts of AC power knocking on CCTC’s Malcolm Berko, P.O. Box
solutions. as impressive as against 1 British thermal door. 1416, Boca Raton, FL
solutions to domestic CCTC has also signed SAIC/Benham believes it unit that some of the big Please address your 33429 or e-mail him at
governments, foreign an initial contract with is, I’d be willing to wager U.S. utilities will come financial questions to malber@comcast.net.
governments and the Sino-Mongolian Interna-
utility industry. Benham tional Railroad (June) to
expects to design and convert 2 tons of its low-
build CCTC’s first grade lignite coal to a
commercial operations clean-burning, low-
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17.
soo
o ?
OUR TOWN
CHARLOTTE DEAR ABBY:
Heat can turn car into a pet’s
death trap I
f
-
PAGE 11
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 www.sun-herald.com Charlotte Sun Editor: Lorraine Schneeberger
capasso@sun-herald.com
Queries for condo towers
Placida’s ‘Mercabo’ project stalls, Grove City could see first submission
LANG CAPASSO
By JOHN HAUGHEY Growth Management Director “The fact is (the ordinance) areas; the airport overlay
Gas prices STAFF WRITER Jeff Ruggieri said last week. is countywide,” he said, “which district; or the city of Punta
It’s been two weeks since Discussions are preliminary, was something I was trying to Gorda. These areas have their
may keep Charlotte County commission-
ers revised building codes to
he said, with developers
seeking information about
get people to figure out”
during the three months it was
own height regulations.
It does apply to Burnt Store,
dollars in town allow 65-foot-tall buildings in
certain areas.
how the planned development
ordinance works.
debated.
The ordinance does not
Ruggieri said, noting, “You
implement the Burnt Store
T
he other night I And while there haven’t been “It’s just been phone calls,” apply to barrier islands — Plan through the PD
happened to be any proposals submitted Ruggieri said. including Manasota Key and ordinance.”
watching one of the under the new provisions yet, He wouldn’t reveal specific Gasparilla Island — where It also applies to El Jobean.
early evening news shows county planners are receiving locations, but Ruggieri said heights are restricted. “Yes it does,” he said.
on television. queries. some initial queries do not Nor is it applicable to the Tim Krebs, of T. A. Krebs
“I’ve been approached by involve the Cape Haze Charlotte Harbor and Murdock
The gist of the story was four developers already,” Peninsula. community redevelopment QUERIES | P9
that the increasing price of
gas does have some good
news attached to it.
Instead of shipping our
raw materials overseas for
Agencies collect money for slain officer’s family
finishing, the cost of gas has
forced companies to keep
their goods in the good old
USA, thereby creating jobs
in America.
That got me thinking ... I
wonder if the same rule
applies here in Englewood.
Are people doing more to
stay in town?
Rather than going out of
the area, are they now Ocl
turning their shopping
patterns to their own 4.4
backyard?
As the weekend jaunts
become a thing of the past,
this in its own way might
bring that little shot in the
arm local communities just
might need.
When you think about it,
there is really not very much
that Englewood does not
have and you can buy all 3
{
your needs locally.
A good project might be to
redirect the time you travel
to other cities to “rediscov-
er” your own little area.
I would be willing to bet SUN PHOTO BY SARAH COWARD, scoward@sun-herald.com
that many of you have not
End of Watch 7/18/08: Punta Gorda Master Police Officer Joe King collects cash Monday at the corner of West Marion Avenue and southbound U.S.
spent a lot of time browsing 41 for the family of fallen Fort Myers Police Officer Andrew Widman, who was shot and killed in the line of duty Friday outside a Fort Myers nightclub.
your local merchants’
businesses. Punta Gorda Police, Fire Department and CCSO set up donation locations
When was the last time STAFF REPORT Since his death, members of Widman Memorial Fund at efforts will continue today at the
you strolled Dearborn PUNTA GORDA — In the multiple Lee County law Fifth Third Bank, as well as a following locations from 4 p.m.
Street? wake of Fort Myers Police enforcement agencies have fund set up by the law firm of to 6 p.m.:
When was the last time Officer Andrew Widman’s death, been taking Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, • Marion Avenue and U.S. 41
you had breakfast at that members of local law enforce- donations at Lee Rice & Purtz, called the Andrew North
quaint little restaurant ment agencies have banded County Wal-Marts Widman Family Fund, at • Marion Avenue and U.S. 41
around the corner from you? together to raise money for his and major Preferred Community Bank. South
Have you been to the family. intersections. The desire to help has even • Airport Road and U.S. 41
many new restaurants that Widman, 30, was shot and Through their filtered up through Punta The Punta Gorda Police
killed in the early morning hours efforts, the groups Gorda, where several agencies Department, at 1410 Tamiami
have opened lately? How hope to raise in Charlotte County have set up Trail, has also been set up as a
of July 18 after he was called to
about the ones you have the scene of a domestic dispute
WIDMAN
$100,000. donation locations. collection site for donations for
been meaning to check out in downtown Fort Myers. The On Sunday alone, Lehigh While employees of the Punta the family. If you wish to
that have been here for a suspect, Abel Arrango, gunned Acres law enforcement officers Gorda Police Department, the donate, the departments ask
while? down Widman before officers and their families collected Punta Gorda Fire Department that checks be made payable to
If one is going to Wal- shot and killed Arrango. approximately $9,200 for the and the Charlotte County the Officer Andrew Widman
Mart, Publix, Winn-Dixie or The Cape Coral officer leaves cause. Sheriff’s Office stood at three Fund.
Sweetbay for the necessary behind a wife, Susanna, and Lee County donations have intersections late Monday The Fort Myers News-Press
grocery trip, they are now three children - ages 4 years, 20 been going to the Fort Myers afternoon to collect what and the Naples Daily News
grouping a string of stores months and 5 months. Police Department’s Andrew donations they could, their contributed to this story.
for shopping around the
trip. The same can be said
for the doctor’s visit.
Some restaurants might
Candidates face off in District 5 GOP primary
By JOHN HAUGHEY Duffy, 53, who is a native of consultant. paying jobs, but careers for our
suffer with this trend as STAFF WRITER Atlantic City, N.J., and a gradu- She said her two years as a residents.”
people in surrounding The District 5 County Com- ate of Seton Hall University with commissioner have helped her Cowen, 59, is a Massachusetts
communities stop coming, mission GOP primary features a master’s degree develop extensive native with a civil
but the locals who don’t three Republican candidates — in health-care knowledge of the engineering
leave should more than the incumbent, an management county and its degree from the
make up for it. engineer and a from the College issues. University of
I would think this would mortgage banker. of St. Francis, has Duffy’s top Massachusetts.
be a great time to tell the The victor will been a Charlotte priority “would be His career
be challenged by County resident that Charlotte spans 33 years in
locals a little about your
former County since 1979. County takes a New York state
store and what you offer. Commissioner DUFFY Appointed by COWEN giant leap in our TUCKER
government,
Remember, it is the locals Don Coppola, an Gov. Jeb Bush to fill Sara Devos’ quest to increase our economic where he worked through the
who carry businesses during COPPOLA unaffiliated term after she resigned in development efforts. As a ranks to be a gubernatorial
the summer ... you now have candidate, in the Nov. 4 general October 2006, Duffy has 15 member of Enterprise Char- appointment as Long Island
a captive audience. election. years experience in health-care lotte, I will facilitate rapid Regional Director of the New
We talk about gas hitting Incumbent Tricia Duffy is management and 12 years progress in securing light, clean York Department of Environ-
$5, $6 or even $7 before it is pitted against fellow Republi- experience in marketing while industry to our community in mental Conservation for 12
all over. cans Ray Cowen and Doug working for small businesses, order to expand our tax base
What better time for you Tucker in the Aug. 26 primary. hospitals, and as a health-care and provide not just high- PRIMARY | P9
...........................................................................
.......................................................................... .
.
to stay in town and save INDEX| Calendar 2 | Police Beat 3 | Obituaries 5 | Puzzles 10 | Horoscopes 10 | Comics 11 | Dear Abby 11 | Viewpoint 12 | Opinion 13
money at the same time. .........
......... .
: .. ..............................................................
. .............................................................
.. .
Englewood Sun’s General
Manager Lang Capasso also
COMMUNITY CALENDAR PAGE 2 STUMP PASS
Kids Playworld Arts & crafts registration County takes steps to remove tubes
writes about local businesses 10:15 a.m. at 3857 Acline Road, Unit 112, Punta Gorda. Open A proposed resolution on the consent agenda of today’s commission
in Thursday’s Business to children up to 4 years old. Cost, $37 for four classes and meeting asks the board to accept “amendment number two to Easement
section. includes playtime in the facility after class. 637-7529. Number 31354.” PAGE 5

21.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008/ The Sun LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWS www.sun-herald.com C Our Town Page 5
County takes steps to | OBITUARIES
remove Stump Pass tubes In Memoriam
By JOHN HAUGHEY Beach Restoration Inc., he said.
Staff Writer which installed the Moore said the county Patricia C. Damico
A proposed resolution tubes, acknowledged lobbied to retain the
on the consent agenda of they were placed too tubes, even offering to
today’s Charlotte County high in the surf and finance modifications to
Commission meeting offered to lower them. lower them.
asks the board to accept However, the DEP “The answer we got
“amendment number ordered their removal from the state was,
two to Easement Num- Feb. 22. ‘You’ll take them out,’”
ber 31354.” The company was to he said, noting the
What this bureau- remove the tubes before discovery of nesting
babble doesn’t say in sea turtle nesting season Wilson Plovers nearby
plain English is spelled began on May 1. But helped foster the
out clearly in portent: when that deadline removal’s delay.
The county’s formal proved untenable, the “I think they thought
acceptance of the removal was scheduled we planted them,” Patricia Carol Damico, 59, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Sunday,
beginning of the end of for between Nov. 1 and Moore said. July 20, 2008, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.
the Stump Pass Experi- Dec. 31. He said the county She was born Dec. 11, 1948, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and moved to Port
mental Stabilization “Easement Number cannot afford to strain Charlotte with her family in 1989. She worked at the Charlotte Sun and
Project. 31354” is the access its relationship with the for Daystar Communications. She was a member of the Elks Lodge 2153
The erosion-control through the state park DEP any further over the in Port Charlotte.
experiment has been necessary to complete tubes. Pat, whose friends called her “Patty,” spent her last days battling can-
doomed since February the work. Amendment “Some people are cer. But the disease isn’t what her family will remember. They’ll remem-
when the state’s Depart- number two extends that saying we didn’t fight it ber how she was a horrible backseat driver, that John was her favorite
ment of Environmental temporary easement to hard enough. My answer Beatle, how she loved to play cards and shout “Bingo!”, and how she
Protection determined Dec. 31. is some battles you win, played “air sax” years before anyone strummed an “air guitar.” But Pat’s
six sand-filled tubes “It’s really not a big some battles lose,” true joys in life were her children and grandchildren, who will never for-
get her hugs, her bright blue eyes, her sense of humor or her meatballs.
weren’t keeping sand out deal,” Commissioner Moore said. “We have to
She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Thomas V. Damico
of Stump Pass and were, Tom Moore said. “We’re go back to them and say,
of Port Charlotte; son, Jeffrey (Jill) Damico of Port Charlotte; daughter,
in fact, accelerating just modifying some ‘I have to have a permit Jennifer (Scott) Wadsworth of Port Charlotte; and brother, Phil Turner of
erosion on the south end paperwork.” to dredge Stump Pass.’ I Georgia. She will be missed by five grandchildren; Davin, Tyler and
of Manasota Key. But fellow commis- can’t jeopardize all of Peighton Wadsworth, and Julia and Joel Damico.
The 10,600-foot-long sioners at Monday’s pre- Stump Pass to try to There will be a memorial mass at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at
geotextile tubes, placed agenda discussion save” the tubes. St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Port Charlotte. The Rev.
in the water off Stump lamented the experi- The resolution is on Father John Ludden will officiate. Friends may extend condo-
Pass State Park, cost ment’s demise. the commission’s con- lences to the family and sign a guest book online at
about $1 million to Commissioner Tricia sent agenda, meaning no www.robersonfh.com.
install in 2006, with the Duffy said there is a “big discussion or public Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral
DEP footing $630,000 of misconception” among input is required to Home, Port Charlotte Chapel.
the price tag. area residents that the adopt it.
The county approved county is behind the The meeting begins at
the project in 2005 in removal. 9 a.m. in the County
hopes of extending the That’s not the case, Administration Center, CHARLOTTE and sign the online guest Sunday, July 13, 2008.
time between dredging agreed Commission 18500 Murdock Circle, book. He was born in Balti-
the pass, which can cost Chairman Tom D’Aprile. Murdock. Sanford Howard Arrangements are by more, Md.
between $3 million and “It’s very clear that the E-mail: jhaughey@ Larry Taylor Funeral and Carl was a
Sanford “Buddy”
$5 million. geotubes are working,” sun-herald.com Cremation Services. veteran of the
Howard, 63, of Punta
U.S. Army. He
| COMMUNITY NEWS BRIEFS Gorda, Fla., passed away
Friday, July 18, Foye Lawson was a printer by
trade for The
2008, at his Foye Lawson, 87, of
Edison career and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Aug. 1 at Regions Bank,
home. News American and the
Englewood. 4255 Kings Highway, Punta Gorda, Fla., passed Washington Times. He
assessment He was born away Sunday, July 20,
Clients for this clinic Port Charlotte, to help loved to fish, so he and
The Academic Success Jan. 30, 1945, in 2008.
will be seen by appoint- some pets find new his family made the move
Center at Edison College Orlando, Fla., to Sanford He was born
ment only and spaces homes. to Englewood in 2001.
Charlotte Campus will and Helen (Charlton) Sept. 18, 1920, in Carl loved his grandchil-
are limited, so schedule Meet some of the dogs
be holding special career Howard. Sandusky, Mich. dren very much.
your appointment today. and learn how you can Buddy moved to Char-
assessment days on July For more up-to-date help. The Animal Wel- Foye was a He is survived by his
30 and Aug. 11. lotte County with his veteran of World War II.
information about health fare League is a non- family in 1998 from bride of 34 years, Barbara;
Edison College has department programs, profit organization He is survived by his son, Brian Joseph Oberg
career assessments Honolulu, Hawaii. He sons, Fred Lawson and
you can visit the Web site committed to advocat- graduated from Jones and Brian’s girlfriend,
available that can help www.CharlotteCHD.com. ing for animal protec- Frank Lawson; and Heather Drummer and
you identify careers and High School in Orlando daughters, Ruth Wessel,
tion and welfare. Since in 1962. Buddy served in their children, Rheana
courses that you would Gayle Czechowski and
Hepatitis C 1963, the shelter, based the U.S. Air Force as a Dawn Hargis.
and Kaci Deal.
enjoy and find interest- in Charlotte Harbor, has There will be a memori-
ing. These assessments discussion captain during the A service will be held in al service at 1 p.m.
served the Charlotte Vietnam War. He worked Sandusky.
can give you insight into The Charlotte County County community by Saturday, July 26, 2008, at
careers that match your Medical Society, in as a pilot for Continental In lieu of flowers,
providing a temporary Airlines and retired as a Brian’s home at 105 E.
personality, value, and conjunction with the home, medical service donations can be made to Riverview Ave., behind
interests. Make an Hepatitis C Support captain after 29 years. TideWell Hospice and
and caring attention for Buddy was a member of True Value. No flowers
appointment with Janice Group, invite all those many dogs, cats and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand please.
Esdale, Academic interested in gaining Sacred Heart Catholic Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238
other animals. These Church and was a 4th In lieu of flowers, all
Success Center coordina- insight and information animals come to the or the Douglas T. Jacob- donations can be made to
tor, and let her help start on Hepatitis C, a preva- degree Knight of son Veterans Nursing
shelter as strays, pets Columbus. TideWell Hospice and
you on a path to a career lent disease in our given up by their own- Home, 21281 Grayton Palliative Care, 210
you will enjoy for the rest county according to local ers, unfortunate animals He will be greatly missed Terrace, Port Charlotte,
by his devoted wife, Inez; FL 33954. Wexford Blvd., Venice, FL
of your life. The assess- doctors, to attend a night rescued from abuse and 34293.
ments take 20 to 30 of information. sons, Sanford of Magno- Arrangements are by
neglect, or simply lost lia, Texas, and Kenneth Arrangements were
minutes each. At 6:30 p.m. July 30, Dr. pets in need of being National Cremation made in Englewood.
For more information Mark Asperilla, a local (Jilma) of Punta Gorda; Society in Port Charlotte.
reunited with their daughters, Kieu-Van
or to set up an appoint- infectious disease families.
ment, call 941-637-5605. specialist, will provide Coleman of Spring, Texas,
and Mauria Howard of
ENGLEWOOD OBITUARY POLICY
The center is located in you with answers to Obituaries are accepted
the Learning Resources many of your questions. Dance Houston, Texas; sisters, Carl J. Oberg from funeral homes only.
Building on the campus This free event will be classes offered Joyce (Markus) Rowland There is no charge for
at 26300 Airport Road in held at the Microtel Inns John Spinosa will be of Atlanta, Ga., Brenda publishing an abbreviated
Punta Gorda. & Suites at 4056 Tamiami offering beginner swing (Eric) Bachelor and I would like to thank
death notice once. Full
Trail in Port Charlotte. A and foxtrot lessons from Marion Henson, both of everyone at the TideWell obituaries and repeat
Orlando; brothers, house for taking such
One-day clinic light dinner and refresh- 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 5, death notices will be
announced ments will be included. 12, 19 and 26 at the Ronald (Rita) Howard and good care of Carl. I subject to an advertising
For more information, Gerald (Cathy) Howard; would like to thank Liz charge. Faxed obituaries
The Charlotte County YMCA fitness center at Burner, Linday Porter
call 941-625-6229. uncle, Huey (Charlestina) must be received by noon
Health Department will Edison College Charlotte and John Reed for the
Charlton of Atlanta; and e-mailed obituaries
Campus, 23600 Airport spiritual support, and a
hold a one-day clinic Antique grandsons, Jonathan, must be received by 2 p.m.
Road in Punta Gorda. very special thank-you for next day publication.
with discounted rates for Joseph, Jalen, Joshua and
parents to have their
auto show Learn basic steps, to my sister, Vicky The American flag accom-
Jordan; granddaughter,
child’s school physical The Veteran Motor Car partnership leading and Jilma; and many nieces, Dopkowski and Roger panying an obituary
following. No partner is (Acey) Hall, for putting indicates a veteran of the
completed. The one-day Club of America will nephews and friends.
display antique autos needed, and anyone can their life on hold to U.S. Armed Forces.
clinic rate for physicals The family will receive
from 9:30 a.m. to join. The cost will be $35 support and take care of Please send e-mails to
will be $30, instead of per person for the friends from 2 p.m. to obituaries@sun-herald.com.
the regular $50, to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at me. Thanks to all who
month of four classes. 4 p.m. Wednesday, July
encourage parents to the new Punta Gorda were praying for Carl
If Latin dancing is 23, 2008, at Larry Taylor Memorials in the Sun
avoid the last-minute Wal-Mart Cruise-In at and me. God bless you
more your flair, than Funeral and Cremation Honor your passed
back-to-school rush. Jones Loop and Taylor all — Barbara Oberg
take the beginner Latin Services. A mass will be at loved ones anytime
The clinic will be held roads. All owners of any 11 a.m. Thursday, July 24,
with a personalized
on Thursday at all three type of vehicle at least 20 dance classes from Carl Joseph Oberg, 61, of memorial tribute.
Call (941) 206-1028 for rates.
2008, at Sacred Heart
of the Health Depart- years old are welcome to 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 5, Englewood, Fla., died
Catholic Church in Punta
participate. This event is 12, 19 and 26 at the
ment’s clinic locations: same location. Learn the Gorda. Burial will be at
Punta Gorda, 514 E.
free and open to the
public. For more infor- basics of rumba, cha- 1 p.m. Friday, July 25, JAMES W. MALLONEE, P.A.
Grace St. (941-639-1181); cha, mambo and 2008, at Greenwood ATTORNEYS AT LAW
mation, call 941-
Port Charlotte,1994 637-3800. merengue. No partner is Cemetery in Orlando.
JAMES W. MALLONEE ELLIE K. HARRIS
Kings Highway (941-613- needed for this class Memorial donations may
• Real Estate • Probate
0950); and Englewood, either; and it is also $35 be made to TideWell
6868 San Casa Drive
Bank to hold • Guardianship • Wills
for the month. The cost Hospice and Palliative • Wills/Trusts • Trusts
(941-474-3240). pet adoptions is $35 per person for the Care, 1144 Veronica St., • Probate • Landlord Tenant
Hours of operation are Regions Bank and the month of four classes. Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
Office Hours – Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Animal Welfare League To register or for more To express condolences 18245 Paulson Drive, Port Charlotte, FL 33954
334894
I I
the Port Charlotte and are joining together information, call 941- to the family, please visit
Punta Gorda locations from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 457-5116. www.Ltaylorfuneral.com (941) 206-2223

24.
Our Town Page 8 C www.sun-herald.com LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWS The Sun /Tuesday, July 22, 2008
School Board eyes tentative budget at workshop
By PAMELA STAIK not something we can general fund would Crist approved the Florida tions and, of course, to the district’s tentative
STAFF WRITER frown about because we’re tentatively be about $152 Department of Educa- additional state revenue budget, which they will
During a Charlotte doing better than a lot of million, with a capital tion’s 2008-2009 budget, shortfalls — Brasseur said vote on tonight. If
County School Board districts,” he said. “Dis- budget of approximately which cut per-student the budget shows an approved, the district will
workshop Monday tricts have been doing pay $138.5 million. Overall, he funding by 1.84 percent to accurate picture for the advertise it in local media
afternoon, officials said cuts and layoffs, and we’re said the district is looking $6,997.37. time being. outlets, as well as hold a
the district’s budget holding the line on that.” at an estimated prelimi- In the past few weeks, “We’re doing the best we public hearing on it next
situation isn’t good — but During a May workshop, nary total budget of $357 however, the Florida can with what we have,” Tuesday.
it could be a lot worse. the board reviewed a million for the 2008-2009 Department of Education he told the board mem- There, Brasseur said,
According to Chief preliminary general school year. informed school districts bers. “We still need to citizens can voice their
Budget Officer Fran budget, where Brasseur Of this figure, he said across the state another 2 tighten up with what we’re opinions about the budget
Brasseur, the district estimated the district’s approximately $7.9 percent cut in per-student doing now. Like a broken A second public hearing
began preparing for the operating funds would million has been set aside funding may occur. record, next year is not will be held on Sept. 9.
possibility of large budget decrease from last year’s for reserves, which While Charlotte’s budget going to be any better and Tonight’s School Board
cuts from the state last $161 million to about $150 includes money set aside is not final — the budget we need to keep that in meeting will be held at
year, while many of the million this year. for the possibility of more can still be impacted by mind.” Charlotte County Public
surrounding counties Keeping with his early per-student funding cuts student enrollment, The purpose of the School’s Murdock office at
weren’t as proactive. predictions, Brasseur coming from the state. health insurance premi- workshop was to intro- 5:30 p.m.
“It’s not good, but it is announced Monday the In June, Gov. Charlie ums, unfilled staff alloca- duce the board members E-mail: pstaik@sun-herald.com
| COMMUNITY NEWS BRIEFS
Homeowners The SCCC will also be Retired law Seniors dinner Coast Guard Auxiliarists from Char-
sponsoring a public
meeting/forum enforcement to meet Auxiliary Safety Day lotte Harbor, North Port
forum at 10 a.m. Saturday The North Port/Port and Cape Coral will also
The South Charlotte at the PGI Civic Associa- The Retired Law Charlotte Seniors invite The U.S. Coast Guard participate. The display
County Coalition will tion. The forum will cover Enforcement Association other seniors to join their Auxiliary Flotilla 98 will will include several
hold its monthly meeting the upcoming ballot of Southwest Florida will group for dinner at 6 p.m. hold a Kids Safety Day different types of life
at 9 a.m. Thursday at the initiative on the 1 percent hold its next regular Aug. 6. starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 30 jackets, from infant size
Punta Gorda Isles Civic sales tax extension. meeting Aug. 6 at the If you are in your 50s, to promote boating safety to adult size and will
Association, 2001 Shreve Officials from Charlotte Fraternal Order of Police 60s, or 70s you are invited and teach parents and include instruction on
St. in Punta Gorda. County government and Hall, 23300 Harper Ave. in to get out, meet new children the importance how to fit life jackets to
Speaker Mac Horton, the city of Punta Gorda Port Charlotte. people and join the of wearing a properly the size of the individual.
Supervisor of Elections, will present particulars There will be a dinner at group for dinner at fitted life jacket. A special appearance by
will review the new voting on the sales tax 6:30 p.m., followed by the Perkins restaurant at A display will be set up the remote-controlled
system for Charlotte extension. meeting at 7:30 p.m. 1700 Tamiami Trail in Port in the Regal Cinema court boat named “Coastie” will
County. All southern This is open to the For more information, Charlotte. area of the Port Charlotte be there to talk to the
Charlotte County home- public. For more informa- visit the Web site For information or to Town Center mall at 1441 kids. Call 941-637-1975
owners are invited. tion, call 941-637-8690. www.retiredle.us. RSVP, call 941-763-0562. Tamiami Trail. for more information.
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25.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008/ The Sun FROM PAGE ONE www.sun-herald.com C Our Town Page 9
Curmudgeon Club to hold town hall meeting
STAFF REPORT Charlotte County, 2280 others: penny sales tax, include Charlotte Gorda Vice Mayor tor Terry Kesner, Interim
PORT CHARLOTTE — Aaron St. MSBUs, economic County commissioners Harvey Goldberg, City Director of Public Works
The Charlotte County The public is invited to development, county Dick Loftus, Tricia Duffy, Manager Howard Kunik, Dan Quick, Supervisor of
Curmudgeon Club and attend and “let county taxes, septic systems and Tom Moore, Tom Charlotte County Sheriff Elections Mac Horton
the Charlotte Sun are officials know what you school district funding. D’Aprile and Adam John Davenport (or Maj. and Economic Develop-
sponsoring a town hall think,” according to According to Dale Cummings; County Bill Cameron if he is not ment Director Don Root.
meeting at 6:30 p.m. organizers. Watson, president of the Administrator Roger available), School Board For more information,
Wednesday at the Topics for discussion club, officials who plan Baltz, Budget Director member Lee Swift, CCU e-mail curclub@
Cultural Center of may include, among to attend the meeting Ray Sandrock, Punta Assistant Utilities Direc- embarqmail.com.
| COMMUNITY NEWS BRIEFS
Nature water are recommended. Esplanade, Punta Gorda. St. in Punta Gorda and to register, as space is
officers that provide
walk planned For more information, For more information, can be contacted at 941- limited. These workshops
them the skills and tools
call 941-625-7529. call 941-421-2040 or go 505-8686. Registration is are offered the first
for handling, effectively
The Charlotte County to myspace.com/flick required and teams and Tuesday and Thursday of
and safely, someone
Parks, Recreation and Musical aswitchproductions. individuals alike are every month.
with mental illnesses
Cultural Resources encouraged to experiencing a crisis
Department invites you
showcase/concert
Volleyball participate. Crisis Intervention with the goal of divert-
to join a guided nature Flickaswitch Produc-
walk at Amberjack tions/Elber’s School of
league to start Team development ing them into treatment
Pine and not jail.
Environmental Park from Rock will be holding a The Charlotte County The Charlotte County
8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. concert/showcase at Parks, Recreation and
needle workshop Criminal Justice & The impetus for this
meeting came as a result
July 29. Fishermen’s Village Cultural Resources The Charlotte County Behavioral Health of Charlotte County
Amberjack is a 220-acre Center Court from Department will be Historical Center will Planning Council, along
receiving a Criminal
environmental park made 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 9. starting its Fall Adult hold a Pine Needle with the support of
Justice, Mental Health
up of unique oak scrub, Headlining the concert Coed Volleyball League. Weaving Workshop from multiple local stakehold-
and Substance Abuse
pine flatwoods, marshes will be Phil Coale, a This league will play from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 5. ers, will hold a planning
young local artist who 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday This workshop, instructed meeting at 2 p.m. Planning grant from the
and other natural areas.
Join environmental continues to win fans nights beginning Sept. 4 by Ingrid Towles, will Wednesday in the Department of Children
specialists and explore over with his songwriting, at South County Regional teach participants the Edison College Charlotte and Families and the
the new trails through the guitar playing and live Park in Punta Gorda. The traditional art of creating Campus Auditorium to Substance Abuse and
old-growth hammocks. performances. Coale is volleyball season will be baskets and other items begin developing a Mental Health
Amberjack is located at due to release an album 11 weeks in duration and from long pine needles. A Crisis Intervention Corporation.
6400 Gasparilla Pines at the end of August. the cost per player is $50. handcraft dating from Team. The public is This meeting will be
Blvd. (near the end of Several other artists The league format is 4- ancient peoples in early invited to attend, and facilitated by Michele
Gasparilla Pines Boule- scheduled to perform are on-4. A minimum of one Florida, the tradition the Advisory Committee Saunders, executive
vard off County Road 775, The Decor from Sarasota, female must be registered continues today and is welcomes input from director for Florida
Placida Road). The group hip-hop artist J-Dez and on each team, and a gaining in popularity. residents interested in Partners in Crisis, a
will meet at the end of G.M.A. minimum of one female The cost is $12 for jail diversion for people statewide criminal
Gasparilla Pines Boule- The show is free and must be in play at all CCHC Society members, with mental illnesses. justice advocacy organi-
vard. Sturdy walking open to the public. times. and $15 for nonmembers, The CIT program is a zation. Saunders is also
shoes that can get wet, Fishermen’s Village is The South County Park including all materials. crisis-response model the chairperson for the
sunscreen and drinking located at 1200 W. Retta is located at 670 Cooper Call 941-629-PAST (7278) for law enforcement Florida CIT Coalition.
QUERIES: No proposals under new provisions; developers approach planners
FROM PAGE 1 exchange of height above destination hotel” to spur acre mixed-use project at Cummings were the He fears with height
35 feet tall for open space “a higher level of com- the former Mercury dissenters in the 3-2 July allowances permitted
Architects in Englewood, means few proposals will mercial development that Marine marina north of 9 vote that approved the elsewhere, a persistent
said his firm may be meet the ordinance’s we don’t have.” the Fishery restaurant in revised ordinance. developer could eventual-
among the first to use the standards. The stagnant real estate Placida. While reassured the ly “get permission to do
height allowances. “If you don’t have a market is an opportunity The proposal, called ordinance is restrictive that” in such areas as
“I’m in preliminary pretty decent amount of to promote local “natural Gasparilla Sound Club enough to limit shoreline Sandpiper Key.
plans for one (project) acreage, this formula is amenities that can bring but commonly referred to development, he still “That is what is going to
that it will work,” he said, not going to work,” clean, green industry to as the “Mercabo project,” wouldn’t vote for it now. happen for now on,”
adding there are “a couple Melvin said. “It’s only the county,” Melvin said. included 95 condos, “They might be right,” Moore said. “We’re gong
of projects” that could be going to work on sites “If we miss the window to 27,000 square feet of Moore said. “The prob- to stretch things. All the
viable and others that that have sufficient recruit the hotel-type commercial space and lem is the price I would easy targets have been
aren’t “because it is too acreage.” development and com- 345 hotel rooms in five- pay if they are wrong is taken care of, now it gets
costly.” “It is as simple as this mercial-type develop- story buildings. huge. It wasn’t worth the tricky.”
Krebs would not — if you wanted an ment, we are going to However, Gasparilla risk; West County is much E-mail: jhaughey@
disclose where the project ordinance that very few miss this, and are just Sound Club, which too important to risk.” sun-herald.com
is, but said the neighbor- projects would take going to build more boxy purchased the property
hood meeting element
will require him to stage
advantage of, then you
got a good ordinance,”
condos when the next
economic boom comes.”
from Boca Norte LLC for
$34 million in November, Mind
discussions in Grove City. Krebs said. “If you are a “Architecturally speak- sold it back to Boca Norte
Realtor Bob Melvin, of proponent of height in ing,” Krebs said, “35-foot- in June for $32.3 million.
Bob Melvin Properties exchange for open space, tall boxes along the There is no indication if
LLC in Englewood, is also it won’t work for many waterfront is not what Boca Norte, which has a Body Spirit
fielding queries. (multifamily) properties.” many would prefer, so Venice address but is
“There’s definitely Yet, both agree it’s a here is an opportunity to headquartered in Bowling
people interested,” he step in the right direction. make” something Green, Ky., will pursue the
said last week. “As recent- The ordinance “isn’t different. project.
ly as today, I was speaking what anybody wanted, Ironically, the project “I’m sure it will resur-
with someone from but we do need to cited as the impetus to face in the future,” FEELING
England interested in a progress,” Melvin said. revise the PD ordinance Commissioner Tom Read all about it in every Sunday in the
property.”
FIT
He said Placida, in appears dormant. Moore said.
Melvin and Krebs say particular, is a prime area Gasparilla Sound Club Moore and fellow
the foot-for-foot for “a nice eco-tourism, LLC had proposed a 31- Commissioner Adam
PRIMARY: Three Republicans face off in race Wednesday - Saturday
FROM PAGE 1 government since moving in the general election, “To restore — or insti-
Al Romas & Davin R.
here in 2003. Coppola, 72, a county tute— credibility, common
He is the vice chairman commissioner from 1996- sense and public trust in Tuesday July 29th
years, until he retired in Open Mic Comedy Night
2003. of the county’s Environ- 2000, is a 30-year county the County Commission,” No Cover - Showtime 8pm
Cowen’s top priority mentally Sensitive Lands resident who opted to run Coppola said. “This
COMEDY Comedy Hypnotist Event
would be “transforming Oversight Committee, the as an unaffiliated candi- cannot be done unless August 27th - 30th
Murdock Village from a vice chairman of the date rather than as a four of the incumbents are DINNER THEATER
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colossal mistake.” committee for the Char-
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Village would be a first Tucker’s priorities are to
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27.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008/ The Sun COMICS www.sun-herald.com D/C Page 11
FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE By Lynn Johnston
Heat can turn car into pet’s death trap
DEAR ABBY: The letter An animal control officer
from “No Dogs in the Car” arrived within five minutes
you printed last year (Aug. and stuck a thermometer in
6) appeared one day too the window. Determining
late for me. I pulled into a that the dog wasn’t in
supermarket parking lot on immediate danger, he left a
a hot afternoon and, as I one-hour notice on the
was getting out of my car, I vehicle. If the owner
heard a dog barking and returned within the hour,
whining. It was a sweet little he would get a warning. If,
Yorkshire terrier that had Dear Abby however, the officer
been locked in a brand-new returned in an hour and the
luxury vehicle with the owner still had not
PEANUTS By Charles Schulz windows barely cracked DEAR BONNIE’S MOM: appeared, the officer would
open. I couldn’t tell how Your letter is timely because break in and release the
long he had been there, but in parts of the country the poor animal.
his barking suggested he temperature is soaring. And It’s a useful number for
was not comfortable. I people frequently forget animal lovers to keep on
walked over to see if I could how quickly the tempera- hand. — READER IN
open the door. ture rises in an enclosed RENO, NEV.
A well-dressed woman vehicle. Every summer we Dear Abby is written by
came out of the store, saw hear sad stories about pets Abigail Van Buren, also
me and shrieked, “Why are perishing in parked cars. known as Jeanne Phillips,
you standing next to my But I digress. For your and was founded by her
car?” I explained that own safety, please don’t mother, Pauline Phillips.
because of the heat, her hand that ill-mannered Write Dear Abby at
dog should not have been woman anything. Instead, www.DearAbby.com or P .O.
HI AND LOIS By Brian and Greg Walker
left in the enclosed vehicle. leave it under her wind- Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA
Her response? “Mind your shield wiper. Read on for 90069.
own business, you dumb what other readers say on For a guide to becoming a
(rhymes-with-witch)!” she this important subject: better conversationalist and
screamed and then DEAR ABBY: My animal a more attractive person,
stormed off. services’ phone number is order “How to Be Popular.”
I read the letter in your programmed into my cell Send a business-size, self-
column from “No Dogs” the phone, and I used it addressed envelope, plus
following day and made a recently when I saw a small check or money order for $6
copy. I hope I run into that dog locked in a hot car one (U.S. funds only) to: Dear
“charming” woman again afternoon. I called animal Abby Popularity Booklet,
so I can hand her one. — services and gave the P Box 447, Mount Morris,
.O.
BONNIE’S MOM IN location and description of IL 61054-0447. (Postage is
BEVERLY HILLS the vehicle. included.)
BEETLE BAILEY By Mort Walker CRANKSHAFT By Tom Batiuk & Chuck Ayers
HAGAR THE HORRIBLE By Chris Browne BORN LOSER By Art and Chip Sansom
THE WIZARD OF ID By Brant Parker and Johnny Hart BLONDIE By Dean Young
PICKLES By Brian Crane SHOE By MacNelly Productions
ANDY CAPP By Reggie Smythe B.C. By Hart
ZITS By Jerry Scott & Jim Borgman
GARFIELD By Jim Davis

28.
Page 12 D/C www.sun-herald.com The Sun /Tuesday, July 22, 2008
T HE S UN
Derek Dunn-Rankin
PRESIDENT
David Dunn-Rankin
PUBLISHER
Chris Porter
EDITOR
VIEWPOINT
To submit letters to the editor, please e-mail to: letters@sun-herald.com
Feds should pay
Brian Gleason
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
Howard James
EDITORIAL WRITER
Stephen Baumann
EDITORIAL WRITER
Phone: 941-206-1133
Florida tomato
growers for error
OUR POSITION: The FDA must
compensate growers for erroneously
blaming nationwide salmonella
outbreak on Florida tomatoes.
F
rom crime to bad drivers to
money, the range of topics that
put frowns on faces is long and
diverse. But it is probably fear of the
unknown that tops most lists. So
when the federal government issues
warnings that a certain food is the
cause of a nationwide salmonella
outbreak, it’s understandable that
people will err on the side of caution.
Such was the case with this sum-
mer’s tomato scare. What began in
April as an isolated spike in
salmonella cases soon spread until
the number of confirmed cases hit
1,220 in 42 states. Across the country,
restaurants altered recipes and
menus, grocers dumped inventory
and farmers watched plump red
tomatoes die on the vine.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
But last Thursday, the Food and Campaign letter community had been given be severely impacted. What’s We’d like to change that. In
Drug Administration announced it no deadline July 27 such an enormous gift by Mr. irresponsible, Mr. Cummings early July, we reported to the
longer suspected tomatoes as the & Mrs. Roger Tetrault of the is living beyond your means. Punta Gorda Police Depart-
culprit behind the salmonella out- EDITOR'S NOTE: No future Peace River Botanical All taxpayers have a budget. ment that an outboard
letters or guest columns and Sculpture Garden. And We cannot solicit our engine had been stolen from
break and lifted its warning on toma-
related to the Aug. 26 like so many others, I was employers and say, “This is our boat. Punta Gorda police
to consumption. There is no hard not enough; I need more”
primary election will be totally shocked when I read officer Matthew Besheer
figure on the cost of the episode, but that it might not come about. and get it. Whatever the came to our home within the
published after July 27.
estimates range from $100 million to As a Rotarian, a communi- numbers are, we have to live hour, got all pertinent details
$500 million nationwide. The Palm ty volunteer and artist who with. Taxpayers are not about the lost property and
Beach Post reported the economic Humanities Council: responsible for this mess, you
gives, gives and gives again, I went directly to our boat to
impact on Florida’s $500 million Have you no shame? can not fathom the selfish- are. A state referendum will check for fingerprints. The
tomato industry could hit $100 Editor: ness of the neighbors who give voters their right to vote next day we were contacted
million. Florida provides 45 percent of The Charlotte Arts and don’t want their properties whether taxes need to be by Punta Gorda Police Det.
the nation’s fresh tomatoes. Humanities Council sent a interrupted in any way. Why raised, and for what and how Quegan who informed us he
Today we join with the Post, Florida mass e-mail to members and can’t they see what this will much. Will of the voters? would be working the case.
friends asking their support mean to them and their Nonexistent. Eight days later, Detective
agricultural commissioner Charles Tom Kasprzak
Bronson and other voices in calling for locating a botanical families, as well as the entire Quegan phoned to tell us the
garden and museum in an community for generations Punta Gorda department had arrested the
for the FDA to make amends for its
area zoned for single-family to come. Why can’t they individuals involved and
mistake. The trade group represent- Garden would be
residences only. understand that their proper- recovered our engine. The
ing Florida tomato farmers is seeking ty lines are not where the boon to county break in the case occurred
In my opinion, they have
compensation through negotiations county/city lines are? Please because Punta Gorda Police
been so blinded by the Editor:
with the feds, but will resort to a tantalizing offer of a “free” do all you can, through our Det. Cochran noticed a vessel
Please note that I am in
lawsuit if that doesn’t work. museum that they will say newspaper, to convince the operating without running
favor of the Gardens on the
Rightly so. Not only weren’t Florida anything to get it. The truth Tetraults not to give up on Peace River. Such a beautiful lights in a canal and pulled it
tomatoes to blame for the outbreak, it seems to be the first casualty their stupendous and place should not be turned over. He thought the motor
turns out tomatoes weren’t even of their campaign. generous project because of a away. too large for the boat.
involved. In fact, Florida tomatoes The Charlotte A&H Council few selfish and unthinking Marcia Ritchlin Knowing our motor had been
were cleared by the FDA back in June says this project, “Won’t cost people. Punta Gorda stolen, he decided to run the
but many stores and restaurants took Charlotte County a penny.” Karol B.Wyckoff serial number, which his
an understandably conservative route Not true! Because the S.Yarmouth, Mass. Cameron the computer check revealed to
and didn’t use or sell tomatoes even foundation is nonprofit, the man for sheriff job be our missing motor.
up to Thursday’s announcement. county will lose considerable Millage increase Yesterday, Det. Quegan
property taxes. There is no ignores will of voters Editor: returned our engine, took our
Worried consumers, not sure what to In April, I attended break- statement, succinctly out-
free lunch.
believe, may let even more time pass Their e-mail states,
Editor: fast at my friend’s house to lined our options, explained
before testing the tomato waters Charlotte County and meet Bill Cameron, candi- what would happen to the
“Although the residents of
again. No matter how tasty a juicy Punta Gorda citizens are date for sheriff of Charlotte individuals arrested and what
Beechwood argued about
beefsteak tomato might sound, fear of headed for another round of County. Bill answered many we should expect from this
safety concerns, this is really
the unknown dictates caution. taxes and fees meted out by questions/concerns of the point forward.
not their true issue.” I fail to
Tomatoes may have been cleared, their representatives. When group in a professional Gentlemen, you did your
see how this can be known
the valuation of my proper- manner. The questions were jobs superbly. The profes-
but for this summer’s crop, it’s a little when no member of the A&H
ty goes up so do my taxes. answered with pride, care sionalism and courtesy of
like the governor calling with a Council has spoken to them.
It’s incomprehensible when
death-row pardon one minute too It further states, “The and concern for Charlotte these individuals was excep-
your property decreases County.
late. Watch out jalapeno growers, the residents sincerely believe tional. We think the citizens
over 23 percent your taxes Through education and
FDA is tossing around your crop as that the 26 unused feet” of Punta Gorda should be
still go up by a “roll for- training it appeared to be his
its next suspect. (within the county’s 40 foot very proud of the experi-
ward” feature that totally privilege and responsibility to
Rep. Tim Mahoney, whose district right of way) “belong to them enced men and women who
disregards your devalued manage, direct and control
and they don’t want to give it watch over us. Punta Gorda
includes dozens of large growers, has up.” These residents are
property and nearly level the operation and adminis-
funds government. police, well done.
called on the FDA “address these neither ignorant nor simple- tration of Charlotte County. David & Susan Baird
crises more quickly and to better County commissioners Bill appeared to be com-
tons. To imply otherwise is Punta Gorda
publicize the safety announcements, stated they would not mitted to be responsive to
insulting. They know what
so that consumers will immediately increase millage rates the expectations and
they own and what they
because it was contrary to Flip-flopping raises
know which foods are safe in the don’t. demands of both internal concern about Obama
voter demand to scale down and external demands.
future.” His House colleague, Rep. To claim Beechwood
county government expenses
Allen Boyd, is sponsoring a bill that residents don’t have safety He indicated goals and Editor:
and projects. Both Punta objectives will be met Regarding Dennis Bischof’s
would compensate growers. concerns is simply not true. Gorda and the County
They are my neighbors and through hard work. Bill reply to my letter regarding
There’s no doubt the FDA is Commissioners increased Cameron is the best man to John McCain’s “posture,” I
charged with an almost impossible have told me exactly how their rates.
they feel. lead our sheriff’s office for the would say “nice try,” but you
task. The salmonella outbreak Now a municipal service next four years. Please join can’t correct what you said.
occurred despite some of the most Does the Arts and Humani- tax on our electric bill? My
ties Council want this so me in supporting Bill You state that “his military
stringent produce regulations in the fuel surtax is half as large as Cameron for sheriff. background does not qualify
much they are willing to
world. Too few inspectors chasing my electric use charge Irene Lohr him to be president.” What
sacrifice individual rights as
too many potential threats means already. This government was Port Charlotte
well as their integrity? I ask possible qualifications for
this summer’s scare won’t be the last. rebuffed by taxpayers voting
them, “Have you no shame?” president does Obama have?
But because we know another out- Frank Price
down the one-half percent Police thanked Three terms in Congress
sales tax for school projects, for recovering motor
break will happen and another Punta Gorda surely doesn’t make him the
for Amendment 1, and
industry will be injured through no probably lose the 1 percent Editor: leader of the free world.
fault of its own, there should be a Botanical garden county sales tax extension As we peruse letters to the You also stated, “Give me
mechanism in place to compensate too good to lose initiative in August (exclusive editor, what strikes us is the change from a young man
those who suffer economic damage. Editor: of the 1 percent state pervasive negativism exhibit- with fresh ideas.” With his
The Great Tomato Scare of 2008 will Like so many other resi- increase). Murdock Village ed and the overwhelming flip-flop on the issues, I have
prove to be a test case for how the dents in the Punta Gorda bleeds us with no end in number of complaints concern with his changes.
government treats those it has area, I was positively thrilled sight. Mr. Cummings writers make on any and all Bob Stevens
to read in the Sun that the bemoans future budgets will subjects. Port Charlotte
injured. Let’s hope it passes the test.

29.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008/ The Sun
OPINION www.sun-herald.com C Our Town Page 13
It took us 10 years to get where we are
T
director, along with most every candidate shortcomings in those answers, we are no
Curmudgeon
he Charlotte County Curmudgeon
Club celebrates its 10th year of that runs for office. These visitations have more or less disappointed than the
Corner
existence this year. It began in 1998 given us the opportunity to express citizens we report to in our Curmudgeon
with a small group of proliferate letter concerns and ask questions. These are also columns. However, we do feel the need of
Joe Dixon
writers corresponding with one another relevant to the concerns of the citizens. a watchdog group and we have had the
and then arranged over time to meet at a We, in turn, often write Curmudgeon support of the Sun in being able to voice
Dixon can be reached Columns based on these visitations and these opinions and give results of our
local restaurant to discuss their articles as a at curclub@
group. Obviously this involved discussions express opinions to the readers. Our meetings in the paper.
embarqmail.com. reactive answers in the past show us Please understand that in most cases we
of local politics to the extent that it related
to local issues of community importance. that we are on the right track to enlight- have not met with disappointment. If it is
The club, as a result of writing their managers. Most importantly, they are en the people on different subjects and your intention and I do hope it is to help
Curmudgeon letters and the responses to people who have the same concerns for the stirring of interest in our county in this enlightenment of the people then
them by the public soon began to attract their county government as the reading government. prepare yourself to come to the town hall
local citizens, politicians and eventually public. These Friday breakfast meetings We have with our citizen readers, waded meeting. It is being sponsored by the Sun
included in the membership one county were then, and still are, frank and open through the turmoils of Stump Pass, water and organized and produced by the
commissioner, one local politician, a writer discussions. quantity, purity and availability, sewer, Curmudgeon Club on Wednesday at
for the local paper, a doctor, three lawyers None of the membership seem bashful septic systems, land mining, phosphate 6:30 p.m. at the Cultural Center in the
and persons of various and divergent to state opinions and a system of allowing mining, Murdock Village, school buildings main hall, located at 2280 Aaron at
political philosophies, and widely divergent members to express opinions in an orderly and the hurricane recovery process. Gertrude Street in Port Charlotte.
political persuasions, who routinely wrote fashion was early established. It is called Naturally, we took the citizen viewpoint Officials of the county have been invited
strong, meaningful letters to the local the gavel system. Bang! Down it goes. on our questioning and we were in many and will be ready to answer your ques-
newspaper editors, dealing with local Truthfully today, it is rarely needed. cases given answers that were of a positive tions on any subject of the government
issues that were published, because of their The club has had the opportunity over nature and invited those with negative that concerns you or your property. Keep
being recognized by the editors as contro- the past years to interview nearly every replies to visit with us. I have on record yourself open for that night. Refreshments
versial, interesting and newsworthy. commissioner and darn near every minutes of many examples of those visits will be served at the break.
They were then and are now, made up of position of authority in the county from the and the somewhat failed promises and The Curmudgeons want your participa-
men from all stages of educational and budget director, tax assessor, county intentions of our officials. tion. After all, you and your satisfaction
professional backgrounds, from a former administrator, and many department We are, in some ways, a privileged group with answers on government issues are
bus driver to a Ph.D., engineers, architects directors, school officials, sheriffs, water to be able to hopefully ask and get the main reason we are holding the town
and several retired business owners and and sewer officials and the tourism answers and when faced with some hall meeting. See you there.
There’s nothing more ridiculous than the truth
“I have been assured by a very knowing “whitey” (a word no black person has But increasingly, that’s who we are in this
American of my acquaintance in London,
Leonard Pitts uttered since “The Jeffersons” went off the country: ignorant, irony-impaired and
that a young healthy child well nursed is at Readers may reach air in 1985) and it’s clear that “ridiculous” petrified. So maybe we should just cancel
a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and Pitts at has become our default status. What once the campaign and ask that the last intelli-
wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, lpitts@miamiherald.com. were punchlines now are headlines. gent person turn off the lights when he or
baked, or boiled...” — Jonathan Swift, “A So, as absurd, as over the top, as utterly she leaves. And bring the last book with
Modest Proposal, 1729” “correcting” my supposed outlandish as the New Yorker image strikes you. Nobody here will need it.
errors. the more sophisticated among us, there is a Somewhere between the stained blue
S
atire is tricky. So I feel the New large fringe out there for whom it will dress and the vice president shooting a guy
It makes its point by exaggerating Yorker’s pain. The maga- represent nothing more or less than the in the face, between swift boat lies and
wildly with a straight face. In inflating zine is under fire for a cover illustration sum of their fears. “war on terra” alibis, the absurd became
a thing beyond all common sense or depicting Barack Obama in the Oval Office Indeed, as I sat down to write these the ordinary, facts became optional and
propriety, it seeks to render inconsistencies wearing a turban, bumping fists with his words, there beeped into my mailbox an e- satire became superfluous.
and hypocrisies glaringly apparent. Satire wife Michelle, who wears an Afro, fatigues, mail with this subject line: “WOW, The New We are beyond satire, my friends. These
seeks truth in the ridiculous. For illustra- and has an assault rifle slung over her Yorker got it exactly right, for once.” Said days, there’s nothing more ridiculous than
tion, see any given episode of “The Colbert shoulder. Osama bin Laden watches from a without a trace of irony. the truth.
Report.” portrait on the wall. An American flag
What makes satire difficult is that burns in the fireplace.
LET YOUR VOICE BE
sometimes, people don’t realize they are The Obama and McCain campaigns have
being had. Jonathan Swift’s “Modest pronounced the cover offensive. There
Proposal,” for instance, had some con- have been calls for a boycott.
vinced he wanted to eat babies; they didn’t Me, I like the cover. It strikes me as an
realize he was actually attacking people’s incisive comment on the fear mongering
blithe unconcern with the plight of the that has attended Obama’s run for the
poor. For that matter, when “All in the presidency. Still, I understand why it is
Family” came along two and a half cen- incendiary: some of us will take it seriously.
turies later, some folks saw Archie as the To be effective, satire needs a situation it
soul of reason. can inflate into ridiculousness. But the
I have experience in this. Some years hysteria surrounding Obama has nowhere
RD
back, I satirized a study that said many to go; it is already ridiculous. In just the last
EA
Americans think news media routinely get few days, we’ve had Jesse Jackson threaten-
the facts wrong. In a column “defending” ing to castrate him and John McLaughlin
H
media accuracy, I made misstatements so calling him an “Oreo.”
grandiose — Bob Hope was host of the Add to that the whispers about Obama’s
“Tonight Show”; Quincy Jones was his supposed Muslim heritage (not that there’s
bandleader — I thought no one could miss anything wrong with that), the “terrorist”
my point. implications of bumping fists, and Michelle
Silly me. I got hundreds of e-mails Obama’s purported use of the term
AND ATTEND A TOWN
HALL DISCUSSION
Money
LL 1 Y
L Real
Here are just a few topics
that need your opinion....
Grow On Trees
IC
ECONOM T SCHOOL PENNY
EN
DEV ELOPM DISTRIC
T
FUNDIN TAX
G
t it 1.T Vr
Officials Invited...
&I M
B
All Commissioners • County Administrator • Budget Director •
Mayor of Punta Gorda • City Manager of Punta Gorda • Sheriff •
8
School Board Member Lee Swift • CCU Director
• Director of Public Works • County Assessor
Wednesday, July 23rd
6:30-8:00pm
Cultural Center
348531
SUN ,-
357060
sponsored by The Curmudgeons &

30.
Our Town Page 14 C www.sun-herald.com LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWS The Sun /Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Year-round schools welcome back students
By PAMELA STAIK
STAFF WRITER
PUNTA GORDA — As
6-year-old Denver
Remich approached the
front doors of Sallie Jones
Elementary School
Monday, there was a skip
to his step.
“I’m excited,” the now-
official first-grader said
while pulling on the
straps of his backpack.
“I’m ready to learn a lot.”
While he likes to do
things with his hands,
like paint, he is hoping to
improve his reading skills
and perfect his favorite
subject — math.
And with her son’s
grand entrance back to SUN PHOTOS BY SARAH COWARD, scoward@sun-herald.com
school, Sherry Remich,
37, said she also felt a Sallie Jones Elementary School first-grader Denver Remich gives mom Sherry a goodbye
tinge of excitement. kiss Monday morning, the first day of school for Punta Gorda elementary schools.
“I’m going to be able to
relax a little today,” she While technical diffi- And improvement was use their “good, second-
said with a laugh as she culties prevented the a big word over at East grade handwriting” as
rocked 16-month-old classrooms from seeing Elementary, where they wrote their names at
Dakota on her hip. “So — and sometimes students in Michelle the top of a piece of Sallie Jones Elementary School third-grader Trinity Pecheco
hearing — the show’s first Harvard’s second-grade paper. waits in line for the pencil sharpener Monday, the first day
that is a very exciting of school for Sallie Jones and East elementary schools in
thought. Plus, it gets us few minutes, Chehak said classroom were learning The students, Harvey
Punta Gorda.
back on schedule.” the live show came how to take their hand- said, would then be
And just as many together in the end while writing to the next level writing down their fears especially if someone else ty’s year-round schools
families were getting emphasizing the school’s while squashing their before listening to a book in the room has the same started Monday, regular
back into the school word of the day — back-to-school fears. called “I Don’t Want to Go fear,” she said. “Plus it public schools through-
groove, so too was media “improvement.” As she walked around Back to School.” helps them ease into out the county are set to
specialist Ruie Chehak, “We’ll get better at this the classroom, the 15- “It really helps the school so they can begin on Aug. 19.
who is in charge of “SPE each time we do it,” she year East veteran students get rid of some concentrate on learning.”
News.” laughed. instructed the students to of the fears they have, While Charlotte Coun- E-mail: pstaik@sun-herald.com
Lots of area volunteer opportunities this summer
Provided by passionate about and you Activities range from One person can Youth volunteering four weeks.
TRACY NEWMAN are on your way to inside games, music, make a difference The program has
VOLUNTEERWAY DIRECTOR making a difference. crafts, decorations, Come join Volunteer- volunteer projects for our
VolunteerWay, an Below are a few agen- trivia and reminiscing The Peace River Way, an initiative of the youth, and with just a
initiative of the United cies in need of volunteers. to community social Regional Medical Center United Way of Charlotte small effort, you can
Way of Charlotte County, events. Auxiliary is seeking County, as a youth make a big difference.
has many volunteer Life enrichment Sterling House is always friendly, outgoing people volunteer this summer. This is also an opportuni-
opportunities. All you looking for new activities who are interested in Youth Works is a volun- ty for teens to earn
volunteers welcome teer program for ages 14-
have to do is log onto so don’t hesitate to ask if volunteering. community service hours
www.volunteer Sterling House of Punta there is something special Call Tammy Jones at 18. Youth can volunteer for school. Call 941-
solutions.org/vocc and Gorda is seeking volun- you would like to volun- 941-766-4361. once a week for 627-3539.
browse all the opportuni- teers year-round for our teer to do.
ties and organizations. Life Enrichment Call Teressa Misen-
Cele brating Am.edca ' Love of Food
Just choose one you feel Department. heimer at 941-575-9900.
| COMMUNITY NEWS BRIEF
Prescribed Pines Blvd. County Parks, Recreation
First MoTJ da y or Even- or 11h Stlrt i i i :1OgIlSt• 008
burns planned The controlled burns and Cultural Resource
may occur any time July Department, Land
To decrease the risk of through September, dates Management Section, at
wildfire and increase the dependent upon specific 941-625-7529 or visit the
quality of our natural weather conditions. The state Division of Forestry
ecosystems, the Charlotte final determination will at www.fl-dof.com/
County Parks, Recreation be made according to wildfire/index.html for F 5
and Cultural Resources weather conditions on information on how to
Department is planning site, the day of the keep your home safe
prescribed burns at proposed burn. from wildfire and how
Charlotte Flatwoods For more information prescribed fire is used to . r •F
Environmental Park at contact the Charlotte help.
U.S. 41 and Zimmel Road,
south of Punta Gorda. O
++ ?.
In the Englewood and 'r?
Cape Haze area, burning 1 - _- dition
? un E-e
is being planned for The S 99
00
nly 3t.h!
iyl
?
???
$ 5
$
Amberjack Environmen- K?
tal Park, 6400 Gasparilla
..
.. ;I
O n
1 } per motax)
(plus
S TAY H A P P Y— {
- - - - ??
S TAY H E A LT H Y ! The Sun E-edition appears
The Sun E-Edition appears
Feeling Fit exactly as it does in print.
exactly as it does in print.
329012
Go to to sun-herald.com
Go www.sunnewspapers.net
Every Sunday –
only in to to subscribe today!
subscribe today!
Take Our Town with you
00.
i?
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When you re away, you don t have to lose touch with your town.
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it ti•
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319913
329013

31.
eoo , oo
o COLLEGE FOOTBALL: ACC, PAGE 6
Clemson favored to win ACC football title TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2008
D/E/N/C
T HE S UN
SPORTS
RAYS 4, ATHLETICS 0 NFL
Shockey sent
to Saints
By BRETT MARTEL
AP SPORTS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS — Jeremy Shockey caught more
passes for more yards as a rookie — the one season
when New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton was his
A li offensive coordinator in
New York — than any
other.
The Giants, mean-
while, proved they did-
n’t need their disgrun-
tled star tight end to
pull off one of the most
Opp stunning playoff runs in
NFL history, winning
three postseason con- ?
1
tests on the road and
then beating previously
undefeated New
England in the Super
Bowl — all while the
injured Shockey AP PHOTO
AP PHOTOS
watched from afar. The New York Giants traded
Tampa Bay’s B.J. Upton, right, looks toward second base umpire Andy Fletcher after beating the tag of Oakland short- So the Giants sought tight end Jeremy Shockey to the
stop Bobby Crosby, center, for a stolen base during the first inning of Monday’s game at Tropicana Field.
to do both themselves New Orleans Saints on Monday
and Shockey a favor on for two 2009 draft choices.
Rays roll again Monday, cutting ties
with the four-time Pro
Bowl selection in a deal the Saints had been trying to
pull off for months.
Kazmir fuels AL East standings
SHOCKEY | P6
2-hit shutout
W L Pct GB
Tampa Bay.............58 40 .592 — OLYMPICS: U.S. BASKETBALL
Boston...................57 43 .570 2
of Athletics New York................54 45 .545 41⁄2
Baltimore...............48 50 .490 10
Toronto...................48 51 .485 101⁄2
Howard healthy
Monday’s results
By FRED GOODALL
AP SPORTS WRITER
ST. PETERSBURG — Scott
N.Y. Yankees 12, Minnesota 4
Baltimore 8, Toronto 3
Tampa Bay 4, Oakland 0
as workouts begin
Kazmir and two relievers com- Boston at Seattle, late By ANDREW BAGNATO
bined on a two-hitter in the left- Today’s games AP SPORTS WRITER
Minnesota at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.
hander’s first start since winning Toronto at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m. LAS VEGAS — Dwight Howard is feeling like
the All-Star game, and the Tampa Oakland at Tampa Bay, 7:10 p.m. Superman again.
Bay Rays beat the struggling Boston at Seattle, 10:10 p.m. Recovered from a stress fracture to the sternum,
Oakland Athletics 4-0 on Monday Howard said he’s ready for Beijing.
night. Complete baseball coverage, Pages 4-5 The U.S. starting center participated in practice as
Rookie Evan Longoria homered Team USA opened a four-day training camp on
for the third consecutive game win in last Tuesday’s All-Star Monday. Howard seemed a bit winded after his first
and drove in two runs, helping game at Yankee Stadium. The 5-on-5 workout since the NBA playoffs, when the
the AL East leaders win for the Rays gave him an extra day to get Tampa Bay starting pitcher Scott Orlando Magic star got hurt against the Detroit
third time in four days following a ready for his first start since July Kazmir delivers a pitch in the third Pistons.
season-worst seven-game losing 13, and the left-hander respond- inning of Monday’s game against “I feel real good out there,” Howard said after the
streak that briefly dropped them ed with his longest outing since Oakland. closed workout at Valley High School. “I didn’t have
out of first place. he went 8 innings to beat Texas nine before being replaced by any problems. I’m looking to get in better shape. I’m
The A’s have lost six in a row for on June 6. Grant Balfour. just ready to go.
their longest skid since they The A’s were limited to Ryan J.P. Howell pitched a perfect “It feels good just to be able to play again and
dropped nine straight from July Sweeney’s one-out single in the ninth, finishing Tampa Bay’s knowing that it could have been a lot worse,” said
6-17, 2007. They’ve been held to first and Jack Cust’s two-out sin- ninth shutout of the season Howard, who donned a Superman cape to win the
nine runs during the slide. gle in the fourth, as well as four before a crowd of just 12,428. The NBA All-Star slam-dunk contest.
Kazmir pitched a scoreless 15th walks over Kazmir’s seven Howard, was held out of the squad’s only workout
inning on one day’s rest to get the innings. The Rays ace struck out RAYS | P5
HOOPS | P6
Baseball season comes to an end on close shave
consulting with singer like the Aflac duck and
W
hen we last left Berra — would have Ward surely felt like the
the North Port David Crosby, to cut their waddled away, shaking approved of the shavings. late John Candy after his
Little League hair. his head but not losing After all, Yogi was the hot melon was shorn in the
Senior All-Stars, there was Why, you ask? one strand of hair. Two towel on 10 Yankee World movie “Stripes.”
hair all over my driveway. John According to my son, who others — Jared Sturz and Series teams. Cooper was a little eas-
Here baby (by the bas- tried to explain it to me Michael Boldin — sub- Supplying the shears ier on Sunderland for a
Fineran couple of reasons. First,
ketball hoop), there while I was stifling a mitted but wisely paid was Cooper, who did the
mama (by the garage), jfineran@sun-herald.com laugh, it was a team unity attention as the amateur honors on Josh Ward, Drake just needed a
everywhere daddy daddy thing. Their head coach, barbers of our ville did Drake Sunderland and touchup. Second, Drake
(underneath cars, in the for the first time since Keith Money, through no their work. my son. As usual, when- will be a quarterback this
street, in the plants) … 1994, and two members fault of his own, is folli- Buddy, can you spare a ever teenage boys are fall taking direct snaps
Hair! of the team — catcher cally challenged. styptic pencil? involved in a mass pro- from, you guessed it,
The 14-16-year old Jerry Cooper and my son The only sane player I’m sure, of course, that duction of any kind, the Cooper.
team had just won the Matthew, an outfielder — among the 11 — “The Z great baseball philoso- first guinea pigs usually
District 16 championship had decided, without Man,” Josh Ziner — made pher — Lawrence Peter get the worst of the deal. FINERAN | P5
GOLF NBA NFL INDEX
Harrington out for more Magic make a deal Taylor hits D.C. Lottery........................2
The bluster at the start of this British Open was whether the The New Jersey Nets acquired guard Jason Taylor has put his Hollywood TV ..............................2
winner should get full credit because Tiger Woods couldn’t play. Keyon Dooling from the Orlando Magic offseason behind him now that he’s a Around the world........2
That was long forgotten after champion Padraig Harrington shot in a sign and trade deal on Monday. In member of the Washington Redskins. Golf ............................2
a 32 over his final nine holes in 30 mph wind to follow Woods exchange for Dooling, the Nets gave The six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Cycling ......................2
as a back-to-back champion. The only question is how much the Magic cash and the trade excep- reported to his new team on Monday, Rec sports..................3
more the Irishman can achieve. tion they got in the deal that sent fresh off the trade that shipped him Baseball..................4-5
Jason Kidd to the Dallas Mavericks. from Miami. Scoreboard ................5
NBA............................6
NFL ............................6
MORE ON THIS STORY | P2 AP PHOTO MORE ON THIS STORY | P6 MORE ON THIS STORY | P6 College football ..........6

32.
Sports Page 2 D/E/N/C www.sun-herald.com LEADING OFF The Sun /Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Tank McNamara
| SPORTS ON TV AS THE MLB TRADING DEADLINE ESPECIALLY NIS ° e M?uAR/+I?os
| AROUND THE WORLD
APPROAGNES,THE BA511ER e
Tuesday, July 22 PLAYER WNO'S MOST-LIKELY TO
BE-TRADED I APPARENT TO
5 °$
TEAMMATES.
I` I
W
Tennis
CYCLING EVERYBODY. ABCESS REALTY
NATIONWIDE Wozniacki advances in Slovenia
6:30 a.m.
VERSUS — Tour de France, stage 16, Cuneo, Italy (800) CHE EP
PORTOROZ, Slovenia (AP) — Third-seeded
1 a 1
o Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark defeated
to Jausiers, France 1.
? c m
?
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL R DUCED ! Slovenian wild card Andreja Klepac 7-5, 6-0
7:10 p.m. PLEASE Monday to reach the second round of the
. Slovenia Open.
ION — Oakland at Tampa Bay (in Sarasota County l I
and parts of Charlotte County) $W The 18-year-old Wozniacki, who is aiming for
FSN — Braves at Marlins her first WTA Tour title, struggled to win the first
9:30 p.m. set against her 105th-ranked opponent before
WGN — Chicago Cubs at Arizona cruising in the second.
WNBA BASKETBALL GOLF: BRITISH OPEN Fourth-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues of
7 p.m.
0
Spain defeated Ekaterina Makarova of Russia 6-
ESPN2 — Los Angeles at Detroit 1, 6-3.
Top-seeded Maria Kirilenko and second-seed-
ed Katerina Srebotnik play on Tuesday.
CYCLING: TOUR DE FRANCE
Doubles specialists
suspended for betting
lag"
PONTE VEDRA BEACH (AP) — Doubles spe-
sowmh cialists Frantisek Cermak and Michal Mertinak,
both coming off tournament titles, were sus-
pended Monday by the ATP for betting on tennis
matches.
Neither player wagered on his own matches,
and an independent hearing officer found no
evidence of any intent to affect the outcome of
matches bet upon, the governing body of men’s
tennis said.
1
Cermak, a Czech ranked 34th in doubles,
was suspended for 10 weeks beginning Monday
and fined $15,000. He’s ranked 34th in dou-
bles and teamed with Rogier Wassen to win the
doubles title Sunday at the Dutch Open.
Mertinak, a Slovak ranked 37th in doubles,
{
was suspended for two weeks and fined
AP FILE PHOTO $3,000. He teamed with Petr Pala to win the
Padraig Harrington smiles with the Claret Jug after his second straight British Open victo- doubles Sunday at the Croatia Open.
ry on Sunday at Royal Birkdale. Professional tennis has taken steps to com-
bat gambling since an online betting site voided
Aiming higher
all bets on a match involving top-five player
AP PHOTO Nikolay Davydenko last year because of suspi-
New overall leader Frank Schleck of cious gambling patterns.
Luxembourg jokes around with his yellow Minor league baseball
jersey as he poses for photographers on the
rest day of the Tour de France in Fossano in Rays minor league pitcher
Northern Italy on Monday. The Tour resumes
today.
Harrington seeking more after 2nd major Walker suspended
ST. PETERSBURG (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays
By DOUG FERGUSON minor league pitcher Matthew Walker has been
Wie to play year, tournament organizers
New leader AP GOLF WRITER
SOUTHPORT, England
— Padraig Harrington
on PGA Tour
said.
It will be her eighth time
suspended 50 games by major league baseball
Monday after testing positive for an ampheta-
mine, which is on the list of banned perfor-
wants to Fresh off a disqualification playing on the PGA Tour, and
never tires of reading the mance-enhancing substances.
on the LPGA Tour, Michelle she has yet to make a cut.
fine print on the silver Walker was taken by Tampa Bay in the 10th
Wie has decided to tee it up The only time Wie has made round of the 2004 amateur draft. The 21-year
claret jug, and as he
attack course stood up from a table
Monday morning at
against the men, again.
Wie will play next week in
the Legends Reno-Tahoe
money playing against the
men was on the Korean Tour,
in 2006, at the SK Telcom
old right-hander has appeared in 22 games,
including nine starts, for Class-A Vero Beach this
season, and has record of 4-7 with a 4.86 ERA.
CUNEO, Italy (AP) — Two tough Royal Birkdale, he slowly Open, the first time she’ll Open. The suspension takes effect immediately.
mountain stages and a time trial await turned golf’s oldest tro- play on the PGA Tour this — Associated Press
in the Tour de France, which is building phy to see his name on Obituary
consecutive rows. major. Let’s try to set claret jug was John
to its closest finish in years. Frank
yourself apart and win Smith’s Smooth Bitter,
Famed baseball writer
Schleck has a plan on how to keep his There were 126 names. Jerome Holtzman dies at 82
yellow jersey: attack. It’s also worth noting two,”’ Harrington said just like last year,
Monday after his four- although the champion CHICAGO (AP) — Jerome Holtzman, a long-
The Luxembourg rider knows he what wasn’t on the jug. time baseball writer who made the Hall of
must go after Cadel Evans of Australia “I don’t think this shot victory moved him was pleased that when Fame, created the saves rule and later became
and Denis Menchov of Russia in the champion has anything up to No. 3 in the world. the party ended about 4 Major League Baseball’s official historian, has
next two mountain stages following to worry about with “Now that I’ve got two, a.m., and he emptied the died. He was 82.
Monday’s off day. Then he hopes he asterisks etched next to I’m in a different club jug, he tasted a few drops Holtzman died Saturday in Evanston.
has a big enough lead before the time his name,” Royal & now. What’s the next of claret. “As a baseball writer, columnist and historian
trial. Ancient chief executive club? I will have time to This wasn’t as exhilarat- for more than 50 years, Jerome Holtzman was a
“I don’t remember a Tour as open as Peter Dawson said. “He reflect and reset some ing as his playoff victory beloved figure and made an incredible impact
this, with three riders within 10 sec- proved that last year.” new goals. You’ve got to at Carnoustie last year on the game,” Commissioner Bud Selig said
The bluster at the start keep pushing.” over Sergio Garcia, per- Monday in a statement.
onds of each other, and six riders with- Holtzman won the J.G. Spink Award and a
in 50 seconds,” Tour director Christian of this British Open was The next target pre- haps because that was his
spot in the Hall of Fame in 1989. The award is
Prudhomme said. whether the winner sumably is winning a first major and the
given annually to the one baseball writer who
Schleck is seven seconds ahead of should get full credit major other than the engraver had to wait until has exhibited “meritorious contributions” to
Bernhard Kohl of Austria and eight in because Tiger Woods British Open, and his the final putt before baseball writing.
front of Evans. Menchov is 38 back in couldn’t play. That was next chance is coming going to work. Known as “The Dean,” Holtzman worked at
fourth place, while Christian Vande long forgotten after quickly. The PGA “This time around was the Chicago Sun-Times and the Daily Times, its
Velde of the United States is 39 behind Harrington shot a 32 over Championship starts in a more determined effort. predecessor, before joining the Chicago Tribune
and Carlos Sastre of Spain trails by 49. his final nine holes in 30 only three weeks at It was more satisfying in 1981. He retired in 1999, when Selig named
“It’s the closest Tour ever isn’t it? I mph wind to follow Oakland Hills outside and in many ways more him MLB’s official historian.
think it will probably go all the way to Woods as a back-to-back Detroit. rewarding,” Harrington Holtzman began his career as a 17-year-old
Paris like that,” Evans said. “It’s great champion. But that can wait. said. “To have doe it copy boy in 1942, and served two years in the
for you guys watching, but it’s a little The only question is Harrington took a back-to-back is very spe- Marine Corps during World War II before return-
bit anxious for us.” ing to journalism. He was assigned the baseball
how much more the phone call from Mary cial. To have two majors beat in 1957.
Schleck will need to increase his lead Irishman can achieve. McAleese, the president is very special. But I think “He was amazing baseball people, I don’t just
by Saturday’s time trial if he wants to “Winning the first of Ireland, and was still what I take most from it want to say writer. He was a baseball fan. He
win. major last year ... the sorting through more is going out in the last did a lot of things for baseball,” said White Sox
“I am not a time-trial specialist, even reflection on that was, than 100 text messages. group and performing manager Ozzie Guillen, who was a Sox player
if having the yellow jersey gives you ‘Guys have won one The first sip from the when I needed to.” during Holtzman’s time at the Tribune.
wings,” Schleck said. “With the team
we have, we can continue to be aggres-
sive.” TRACK AND FIELD Florida Lottery
Schleck took the yellow jersey from CASH 3 PLAY 4
Evans by attacking him in the final
climb of Sunday’s 15th stage up to the
Italian ski resort of Prato Nevoso. But it
Jones asks Bush July
July
21N ....580
21D ....799
%- % -
1
`'s
July
July
21N ..0171
21D ..5051
was only a small time gain and, with
to commute sentence July 20N ....452 July 20N ..5825
lit
two punishing stages to come in the July 20D ....413 July 20D ..7600
Alps, he knows he has to cushion his
lead when today’s 16th stage heads out WASHINGTON (AP) — Such applications are D-Day; N-Night D-Day; N-Night
of Italy and into the French Alps. Disgraced Olympic track star reviewed by the Justice
It is even tougher and has two climbs Marion Jones has asked Department, which makes a FANTASY 5 MEGA MONEY
beyond classification. The Lombarde President Bush to commute recommendation to the pres- July 21.........4-10-19-24-33 July 18 ..............9-11-17-36
ascends for 13.3 miles and La Bonette- her six-month prison sen- ident. July 20...........4-8-12-16-32 MegaBall ........................14
Restefond grinds upward for 15.8 miles. tence for lying to federal It’s unclear when Jones, July 19.............2-5-6-16-18 July 15 ..............2-21-37-44
The three climbs in Wednesday’s 17th agents about her use of per- who won three gold and two July 18.........8-11-14-21-22 MegaBall ..........................1
stage — the Galibier, Croix de Fer and formance-enhancing drugs bronze medals at the 2000 July 17.........6-21-26-34-35 Drawings occur Tuesday, Friday evenings
L’Alpe d’Huez — are all beyond classifi- and a check-fraud scam. Sydney Olympics, made the Payoff for July 20 Payoff for July 18
cation. The Justice Department request. She entered prison 1 5-digit winners: ...$174,887.43 0 4 of 4 + MB ....................$—
“We have a really strong team and confirmed Monday that 383 4-digit winners: ........$73.50 9 4 of 4 ....................$1,009.50
March 7 in Fort Worth, Texas. 49 3 of 4 + MB ...........$406.50
that is what could be the key for us in Jones is among hundreds of 8,478 3-digit winners:.............$9
After frequently denying 1,471 3 of 4.......................$40
the Alps,” Schleck said. convicted felons who have 1,777 2 of 4 + MB .............$23
applied for presidential par- that she ever used perfor- 2-digit winners .....Quick Pick ticket
Although Evans kept his time losses
dons or sentence commuta- mance-enhancing drugs, LOTTO
manageable Sunday, it may have come
at a price. The 31-year-old Australian tions, but would provide no Jones admitted last October
she had lied to federal inves- July 19 ........9-14-19-29-44-51 Payoff for July 19
slumped over his handlebars on the further details. A pardon is an July 16 ........1-10-20-23-41-51 0 6-digit winners: .................$—
final climb, his body language showing official act of forgiveness that tigators in November 2003.
July 12 ........4-12-31-33-37-44 65 5-digit winners: ..........$5,162
he was in great difficulty while Schleck, removes civil liabilities stem- Jones also admitted lying July 9 ........18-20-27-38-48-51 3,716 4-digit winners:..........$73
Sastre, Menchov and Kohl looked ming from a criminal convic- about her knowledge of the July 5 ..........9-18-19-20-43-46 76,642 3-digit winners: .........$5
strong. tion, while a commutation involvement of Tim July 2 ............8-9-10-29-38-53 Drawings occur Wednesdays, Saturdays
“He looked as though he was suffer- reduces or eliminates a per- Montgomery, the father of The estimated jackpot is $6 million
ing a bit,” Schleck said. son’s sentence. her older son.

34.
Sports Page 4 D/E/N/C www.sun-herald.com SPORTS The Sun/ Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Major League Baseball
UP NEXT
Today
Oakland at Tampa Bay,
7:10 p.m. (TV: ION)
STANDINGS AMERICAN LEAGUE: ROUNDUP
MEpICAN LEAGUE
Rodriguez fuels Yankees’ 12-4 victory
P BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS in the Bronx. (.372) with 15 RBIs.
NEW YORK — Alex Nick Blackburn (7-6) Ramon Hernandez homered for
the Orioles, who climbed out of last
Rodriguez hit a two-run lasted just 12⁄3 innings in his place in the AL East ahead of
homer and an RBI single second career start against Toronto.
Monday night to help the the Yankees, allowing Baltimore went up 6-3 in the fifth
New York Yankees beat the seven hits and six runs, against Jesse Litsch (8-7). After
East Division Minnesota Twins 12-4 for three earned.
,
Brian Roberts doubled with one out,
W L Pct GB their eighth straight home Blackburn also had an ff Jones hit a grounder deep in the
Tampa Bay ....58 40 .592 — hole at shortstop and beat the throw
win. early exit in his first game from David Eckstein. With two outs,
Boston ..........57 43 .570 2 against New York, depart-
New York........54 45
1
.545 4 ⁄2
Robinson Cano hit an Aubrey Huff walked to load the
Baltimore ......48 50 .490 10 upper-deck drive and ing after he was drilled in bases for Melvin Mora, who chased
Toronto ..........48 51
1
.485 10 ⁄2 Derek Jeter also went deep the face by Bobby Abreu’s Litsch with a two-run single up the
for the Yankees, who have line drive in the fifth middle.
Central Division ■ Rangers 6, White Sox 1: At
W L Pct GB won four straight overall. inning. The rookie right- Chicago, Josh Hamilton hit a three-
Chicago ........55 43 .561 — New York’s Yankee Stadium hander, who allowed just run home run and Hank Blalock
Minnesota ....55 44 .556 1⁄2 streak is its longest since it one run in that June 1 added a two-run shot to power Texas
Detroit ..........49 49 .500 6 won nine straight at home start, was left with a Rangers past the White Sox.
Kansas City....45 54 .455 101⁄2 swollen lip and headaches Hamilton hit his 22nd homer, a
Cleveland ......43 54 .443 111⁄2
in 2005.